What not to Compost

• Coal Ash - Most ashes are safe to mix into your compost pile, but coal ashes are not. They contain sulfur and iron in amounts high enough to damage plants.

• Colored Paper - Some paper with colored inks (including newsprint) contain heavy metals or other toxic materials and should not be added to the compost pile

• Diseased Plants - It takes an efficient composting system and ideal conditions (extreme heat) to destroy many plant diseases. If the disease organisms are not destroyed they can be spread later when the compost is applied. Avoid questionable plant materials.

• Inorganic Materials - This stuff won't break down and includes aluminum foil, glass, plastics and metals. Pressure-treated lumber should also be avoided because it's treated with chemicals that could be toxic in compost

• Meat, Bones, Fish, Fats, Dairy - These products can "overheat" your compost pile (not to mention make it stinky and attract animals). They are best avoided. *SQUIDS*

• Pet Droppings - Dog or cat droppings contain several disease organisms and can make compost toxic to handle.

• Synthetic Chemicals - Certain lawn and garden chemicals (herbicides - pesticides) can withstand the composting process and remain intact in the finished compost. Poisons have no place in the natural micro-community of your compost pile.

What to Compost

Composting

Hey Nick,

Keep trying to reach the ranch up in wine country or we may have to research other ways.

Everyone,

Volunteer Day April 14th, Saturday, 8-12pm. Please let me know if you cannot make it !! There may be up to 30 helpers! So we need you ! It is with the Gas Co. and they are willing to offer a donation as well to help with the restoration!
This is also the time to think of having helpers to help you with your projects! Free labor! If you have any ideas let me know!

Here is an idea that I picked up for the composting unit that we can incorporate the wine barrel into.

This is the website that I found this on if you would like to read about other ideas. The other ideas on this website are more open area composting units, yet we would want more of a closed container.

Explore Our NPG Website !!

http://oldcovenativeplantpreserve.webs.com/

Go to The Ocean Institute Main Page!

http://www.ocean-institute.org

The Old Cove Native Plant Preserve

Intern Meeting 1/31/12

Hey Interns,

Great Job last meeting!! Just to recap, I talked with each of you about your proposals and to start researching your topics. Emily, You are doing "Natural Ways to Protect your Garden from Rabbits" Which will include building a Barn Owl home as well as using #6 Dudlei edulis, for your experiment. I have already purchased the wooden stakes, netting and ties to block off half of your plants. Keep me updated on your Barn Owl research!!

Nick, We talked about composting. We liked the wine barrel idea. I will attach a website with awesome ideas that we can do. I also talked with Andy, another instructor here who is excited to help and he really liked the idea of cutting out a circle of the wine barrell and putting plexi glass in to see. So I need you to research types of composting (what is the best for us) and what we can and cannot compost and a list of supplies needed to fulfill your project. I can easily make signs and buy compost bins for our break room and lab rooms. Also, how to get it kickstarted. Think of a snazzy name for your project as well!

Kristine, You are doing Why Native Plant Gardens are Important. or How to Build a Native Plant Garden. including drought resisitance, and other adaptations these plants may have. Give common names and scientific names and WOW facts!

I bought a hedge trimmer and am super excited to try it out!!

Great Job All!! and remember to get your maintenance hours in !! come in any time!