From the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation  Winter 2007/2008
The Composter Newsletter
In This Issue
Upcoming Workshops
Composting & Water Conservation
Vermi the Worm Education
Composting Workshops 
Celeste Robinson at Ocean Beach Farmer's Market
 

All workshops are FREE and open to the public:

 

Vermicomposting Workshop

Saturday, Feb. 16

8-9:30AM

Quail Botanical Gardens,

230 Quail Gardens Dr.

(compost demonstration area)

Instructor: Dan Kuhn

 

Composting Workshop

Saturday, March 1

1-3PM

Quail Botanical Gardens,

230 Quail Gardens Dr.

(compost demonstration area)

 

 

 

 


Quick Links
::
Dear Friends of Solana Center, 
Wishing you a brilliant New Year full of prosperous composting and good health! Enjoy our new format of the Composter newsletter.
 
Morse High School native plants 

How Does Composting Save Water?

by Jan D. Wellik

 

Composted soil holds more moisture for longer periods of time which reduces the need for frequent watering.

 

Water Conservation Tips:

-         The average person uses approximately 180 gallons of water per day. Practice using less water every day!

-         60% of urban water use in San Diego is spent on landscape irrigation and other outdoor purposes.

-         By replacing a portion of lawn with beautiful native and California-friendly plants, you can save 33-60 gallons of water a day!

 

 

Compost is important part of Xeriscape Landscaping

 

Composting is a component of the seven principles of Xeriscape Landscaping. It relates to the principle of Soil Analysis. Creating compost allows for better water penetration in the soil, and improves the water-holding capacity. So by using compost in your soil, you can water your garden less. The organic matter in compost also provides beneficial nutrients to plants.

Xeriscape landscaping is defined as "water conservation through creative and appropriate landscaping." The key words here are "creative" and "appropriate". You can have almost any garden look you like and still save water. Your garden can be a beautiful oasis and significantly increase the value of your home while still saving water.

Xeriscape landscaping is founded on seven principles. While these principles have been used in traditional landscaping for years as separate or partially combined principles, Xeriscape incorporates all of them into one holistic method resulting in a unique landscaping approach that combines all the necessary elements to achieve water conservation. When all seven principles are implemented correctly, the result is a significant reduction in water consumption without the loss of the beauty that landscapes provide.

Planning & Design
Planning is the most important step to a successful Xeriscape. A thoughtful design can allow you to install your landscape in phases and avoid costly mistakes. Many people create their own designs with excellent results. Landscape professionals can be valuable resources, with services ranging from making simple planting suggestions to full-scale design and construction.

Soil Analysis
Soil improvement allows for better water penetration and improved water-holding capacity of the soil. Organic matter and other amendments also provide beneficial nutrients to plants. It is best to test soil to determine the correct amendments and amounts needed. Improve the soil prior to planting and installation of an irrigation system. Contact the University Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor or your local nursery professional for more information about soil testing and amending.

 

 
Appropriate Plants
There is a large selection of water-efficient plants available in San Diego County. Many popular landscape plants are a lot more drought-tolerant than you'd imagine. Nearly every landscape function can be served with a low-water-use plant. Year round greenery, bright flowers, borders or accents - all can be achieved efficiently and attractively. Some nurseries tag their low-water-use plants for easy selection.
 

Mulches


A two to three inch top layer of mulch will cool the soil, reduce weed growth, slow erosion, and, most importantly, minimize evaporation. The textures and materials also provide landscape interest. Organic mulches include shredded bark or chips, wood grindings, or compost. Inorganic mulches are usually rock or gravel products.

 

Efficient Irrigation
A combination of a sound irrigation design and installation with careful water management will conserve water. Irrigation technology has boomed in the last few years with improved product quality and increased water-saving efficiency. Turf areas are best watered with sprinklers. Trees, shrubs, flower beds, and groundcovers can be watered efficiently with low-volume sprinklers, drip or bubbler emitters. Even traditionally water-thirsty plants can benefit from Xeriscape principles if separately zoned and efficiently irrigated. Monitoring and maintaining your irrigation system is the key to saving both water and money.

Appropriate Maintenance
Regular maintenance preserves the intended beauty of your landscape and saves water. Pruning, weeding, proper fertilization, pest control, and water-schedule adjustments contribute to water savings. Because of their design, Xeriscapes result in reduced maintenance cost and time.

 

Reducing Water Usage

San Diego is currently promoting a 20-gallon reduction challenge. By saving 20-gallons a day residents can achieve a 10% reduction in use.

 

Historic dry conditions in California and in the Colorado River Basin have reduced the supply of imported water available to Southern California to the point where the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), the San Diego region's primary water supplier, is withdrawing water from storage to meet current-year demands. If dry conditions continue, it may be more challenging for water agencies to meet water demands in 2008. The Water Authority is negotiating with several water districts and other potential suppliers in northern and central California to secure up to 30,000 acre-feet of additional water supplies for 2008.

 


Sources: http://www.otaywater.gov/owd/pages/waterconservation/waterwise.aspx

Einstein Middle School worm bin presentation 
Worms in
Schools

 

 

Master Composter educators go into K-6 classrooms in San Diego, Encinitas and Carlsbad since to teach students how to do their own worm composting.

 

In less than 1 hour, presenters cover the basics of worm anatomy, recycling and vermicomposting. Students love seeing the worms up-close, and the classroom rings with laughter every time the word "poop" comes up!

 

As of December 2007, ____ # of presentations conducted and ____ # of students impacted.

 

Master Composters who volunteered to lead the December presentations: ________

 

If you're a Master Composter and want to play the "Body Parts Game" and help kids learn more about composting just by making them laugh from saying "poop" five times, then sign up to help out at the next school presentations.  Dates__________
Master Composter at San Diego demo site
 
 
 
Special Events
 

 

 
 
 
 
California-Friendly Plant Sale

Saturday, March 15

9AM-3PM

Compost Bin Sale with FREE demos

Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. West, El Cajon

 

 

5-week San Diego Master Composter Training

Tuesdays, April 8 - May 5

6-8:30PM

City of San Diego Ridgehaven Building

Instructor: Whitney Duenez

Fee: $30 for materials