Spread the word about composting!
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Solana Center for Environmental Innovation
137 N. El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 436-7986
www.solanacenter.org
Visit the Solana Composter Blog!
Become a Solana Center Volunteer!
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Upcoming
Workshops
All workshops are FREE
and open to the public
San Diego Zoo
Saturday, June 27th
8 - 10 a.m.
Otto Center, 1 block south of main entrance
Backyard Composting and Vermicomposting
Smith & Hawken Store
Saturday, July 11th
11 - 12 p.m.
7007 Friars Road
Fashion Valley Center
San Diego
Backyard Composting
Bailey's Palomar Resort
Saturday, August 1st
10 a.m. - 12 noon
33650 Bailey Meadow
Rd.
Palomar Mountain, 92060
Backyard Composting and Vermicomposting
Quail Botanical Gardens
Saturday, August 15th
10 a.m. - 12 noon
230 Quail Gardens Drive
Encinitas, 92024
Composting 101 - Composting for Beginners
Click here to Pre-Register!
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Master Composter Course Fall 2009
Course Date TBA
Held in Encinitas
Click here to join the course mailing list
Receive updates about course dates, requirements, etc.
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Composting at the County Fair
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Don't miss Composting at the San Diego County Fair this
year! The Solana Center for Environmental Innovation
and the
City of San Diego will be hosting an informational booth about home composting in the Flower and Garden Show in O'Brien Hall for all 22 days of the fair.
Master Composters will be available to answer questions and give demonstrations, free literature will be available, and you can even bring some free compost home with you! For more information about the San Diego County Fair click here.
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Compost Bins and Worm Bins
 Smith & Hawken Biostack
Capacity: 12 cubic feet
Dimensions: 28'x28'x34' high
General price: $99 (retail $129)
Encinitas residents: $35*
Unincorporated County residents (avail. July 1st): $45*
 Wriggly Wranch Worm Bin
Capacity: 2 cubic feet
Dimensions: 16'x23'x25'
General price: $89 (retail $110)
Encinitas residents: $35*
Unincorporated County residents (avail. July 1st): $40*
*limit 2 subsidized bins per fiscal year July-June, proof of residence required (license, personal check, water bill, etc.)
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How to Get Your Bin
- Drop by the Solana Center on a Tuesday or Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 137 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024
- Have a bin shipped to you. Click here to get a quote. Subsidized shipping available for Unincorporated County residents ($10/bin avail. July 1st).
- Attend a Compost Bin Sale. Held biannually. Next sale: November 14, 2009, Water Conservation Garden 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon
Solana Center accepts cash or check only.
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Which bin is right for me?
Smith & Hawken Biostack bins are backyard composting bins most suitable for residences with yards. The bin composts both kitchen scraps and yard trimmings. Turning the bin is easy because it separates into three pieces. Because of the Biostack's large size, a larger volume of compost is produced. No worms required.
Wriggly Wranch Worm Bins are great for any residence but work especially well for those with space constraints such as apartment or condo dwellers. Generally food scraps and paper are preferred for red wigglers, rather than yard trimmings. The bins include everything you need to get started except for the worms. To find a list of worm retailers in San Diego County, please click here.
Odors, varmints, and flies should not be a problem if you are composting correctly. Always bury any kitchen waste, keep the lid on your bin, and do not over feed your worms!
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Have composting questions??
Ask the "Rotline"! Click here to email your question or call (760) 436-7986 ext. 222.
Be sure to check the Solana Composter Blog for the "Rotline" Question of the Week!
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 Solana Center Planting Party
The Solana Center garden needs your help! Summer is about to begin and we still need to plant our garden! Please join our planting party on Tuesday, July 7th, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. to help us get our garden off the ground!
We will be adding compost to our raised beds, planting, and adding chicken wire around the beds to keep out the bunnies. Please email Leslie if you are interested in helping.
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Worm Bin Troubleshooting
The bin smells bad...
The bin probably has too much food, not enough air or water, or scraps have not been properly covered. Make sure all food is buried and covered. A piece of moistened burlap, newspaper, or egg cartons over the worms and food scraps works great.
The bin has flies...
The food has probably been exposed or there is too much food in the bin. Make sure all food is buried and covered and try feeding less.
The bin has ants...
Ants tend to prefer dry environments so add more moisture to your bin. If the problem persists, place the legs of your bin in bowls of water or try moving your bin to a new location.
 For more vermicomposting tips visit the Solana Composter Blog or get a copy of Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof available at the Solana Center for $13.
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