Talking Trash, Part Two.....

So, last week we looked at the large amount of items one can recycle. This week we’re looking at reducing the amount you throw away even further, either using the green bin/can (again, Sunset Waste customers, this means you) or composting at home.

So what goes into the green bin? Branches, bushes, cactus, flower trimmings, leaves, potting soil, tree trimmings, cork, untreated, unpainted and unstained wood and fruit and vegetable trimmings. The materials are then taken to Tulare County compost and Biomass Inc. Sol Nunez, of Sunset Waste said residents should not throw plastic bags or flower pots into the bin.

So what about food waste? In larger cities like Visalia, food waste composting is the norm. Sol said Sunset will introduce a food waste program in Woodlake this year where residents will be able to throw everything from eggshells to pizza boxes into their green bin. But even if your city doesn’t have a formal program, you can compost most food waste and paper waste on your own and in-turn reap the many rewards of homemade compost.

While I will address composting in depth in future columns, I wanted to lightly touch on the subject. Composting is the simple art of balancing green waste and brown waste like shredded paper, leaves, paper grocery bags, this newspaper, etc. Nature then gradually breaks these materials down with the help of heat and moisture, into rich soil, also known as “black gold” to gardeners.

So what food waste can you add to your compost bin or worm bin (if you have composting worms)? Goodness, this list could go on and on. How about this, I’ll say what you shouldn’t throw in there and you can assume most other food waste is fine. Sound good? Okay, leave out meat, bones, dairy products, cooking oils, all pooh (cat, dog, Aunt Martha’s, etc), and rice. It’s best to leave out too many grains or acidic foods as well. For brown waste, leave out glossy or colored paper (recycle these instead).

You can either buy a counter top composting pail, use a bin and biodegradable bags, or simply cut some slits in a large coffee can lid and reuse the coffee can. Our ghetto composting pail (a coffee can) sits underneath our sink waiting for everything from coffee grounds to vegetables remnants. Once the can is full we march it out to the garage where the materials are added to our worm bin. If you’re interested in composting via large pile or bin outside there are plenty of choices from fancy bins to simply using leftover wood pallets. Use what works best for you.

You can learn more about composting via web or from books like “Let It Rot: The Gardener’s Guide to Composting” by Stu Campbell or “Worms Eat My Garbage” by Mary Appelhof and Mary F. Fenton (both are good reads).

Before too long, you’ll have plenty of homemade compost for your garden, all using everyday “waste.”

Happy composting!

Talking Trash....

This week we’re talking trash, as in that bin you roll out to the curb each week. If you find yourself taking out the trash too often or that the bin gets full way too fast, it might just be that you’re throwing too much away.

There are plenty of items that could be placed in the blue recycling bin that sits next to your trash bin (for Sunset Waste Systems customers: Exeter, Lindsay, Farmersville, Woodlake, this means you!).

If it can’t be re-used (try placing empty jars on Freecycle or Craiglist first), recycle it! Besides being better for the environment than simply sending it off to the dump, you pay each month to be able to recycle. So if you’re just filling up your trash bin and that’s it, you’re not getting your money’s worth. So how can you reduce the amount you throw away? I'm so glad you asked.

Sol Nunez, Sunset Waste recycling coordinator for Exeter graciously supplied a list as well as explanations for certain items (Thanks Sol!). Sunset Waste customers can place the following into those blue recycling cans or bins: junk mail, mixed waste paper products (office paper, paper egg cartons, colored paper, construction paper, toilet paper and paper towel rolls, paper grocery bags, shoe boxes, envelopes, writing pad backing, etc.), newspaper (as well as newspaper inserts, coupons, store advertisements), cardboard, chip board, magazines and phone books, all plastics #1 through #7 (not including #6: Styrofoam), glass containers (brown, clear, green bottles and jars), milk, soy and juice cartons, steel or tin containers, aluminum containers (beverage and food, tin foil, small scrap metal) and bi-metal containers.

This means that empty jar of mayonnaise, cereal box, empty shampoo bottle, plastic container that held salad, can from last night’s soup, annoying Tupperware without a lid, etc. could all go into the recycling bin. Check the bottom of the item for the recycling symbol and what number plastic it is; you’d be surprised how many plastic items you can recycle. She also said that used motor oil and filters can be placed along side recycling containers (motor oil must be in sealed container) and that automotive batteries can be placed alongside recycling containers as well.

The easiest way to get into the habit is to place some kind of bin in an area convenient for everyone. Next to the trash can in the kitchen is great or maybe in the nearby laundry room. In order to ensure your recycling bin doesn’t attract creepy crawlies, etc. rinse out tin cans and glass bottles right after you use them. A quick squirt of hot water and most of these items will be fine. The sooner you rinse them, the easier they are to clean. Once you get into the habit, this becomes very easy and it's a simple chore for little ones.

Sorry guys, this doesn’t mean you’ll be visiting the bins less, but it does mean you’ll be putting stuff into the rather clean recycling bin rather than that smelly trash bin. And it also means you won’t go through trash bags at the speed of light. It also means you’ll be keeping items out of local dumps that can be recycled and that you’re taking full advantage of all the great services Sunset Waste offers. Win-win.

Homesteading Library....

Whether you’re an experienced survivalist or budding urban homesteader, having a library full of reference books is key to homesteading. There are plenty out there, but here is the best of the best (in my opinion). Order them from your local bookstore or online.

 “The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre!” by Carleen Madigan. This book is one of the best out there for beginners as it covers the basics when it comes to food production and animal husbandry. It also contains recipes for everything from bread to cheese, beer to ice cream. If you’re looking for an easy, pleasurable read, this is it.

“Country Wisdom & Know-How” by The Editors of Storey Publishing’s Country Wisdom Boards is an encyclopedia of everything you can think of when it comes to country living, even in the city. In it you’ll find hundreds of recipes, age old crafts and more. This is a compilation of Storey Publishing’s Country-Wisdom bulletins all rolled into one mega book. There are also versions focused on gardening, survival and medical care.

“The Homesteading Handbook: A Back to Basics Guide to Growing Your Own Food, Canning, Keeping Chickens, Generating Your Own Energy, Crafting, Herbal Medicine, and More” by Abigail R. Gehring includes everything you could want to know from buying a plot of land to identifying medicinal plants. It’s a no nonsense approach for those really wanting to live out their dream in the country. There’s plenty for those who live in suburbia as well.

“Making It: Radical Home Ec for a Post-Consumer World” by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen  is a practical guide for those wanting to live more sustainably. From making your own laundry soap to explanations of greywater, this book is for the modern homesteader living anywhere.

“The Ultimate Guide to Homesteading: An Encyclopedia of Independent Living (The Ultimate Guides)” by Nicole Faires is an all inclusive book detailing country living and homesteading skills. Like the “Homesteading Handbook” it will cover everything from building your own home to medical care, recreation to food preparation. If you really want to take homesteading to the next level then this is one book you should add to your library.

“Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills,” Third Edition by Abigail R. Gehring. Another gem from Abigail Gehring, “Back to Basics” is one of the best loved homesteading books for a reason. It touches on almost every aspect of homesteading you can think of. It also provides background or historical information alongside recipes and advice. Don’t leave the bookstore without this one.

“The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It” by John Seymour is the only book on the list that doesn’t sit on our bookshelf at home. But since it is a very well-known homesteading book it made the list. It covers everything from renewable energy to making beer and wine.

This list is just the beginning of what is out there, so search out more homesteading reads to add to your library. And please share your favorite homesteading book via a comment! 

Seed Savvy....

It’s an exciting time to open the mailbox as seed catalogs are beginning to make their way into hopeful gardeners’ hands. Whether or not you took the winter off, you can begin dreaming of spring flowers and summer harvests. So brew a cup of hot tea, grab a catalog and a pen and get dreaming!

Why seeds? In this cash-strapped economy seeds give you more bang for your buck. While one plant may cost you $4 you could buy a packet of 100 seeds for the same price. And if all of your plants die (which for me happens way too often) you don’t feel so bad. Plus even if you too have the “black thumb of death” you might still have some seeds left in the packet to start again.

The main thing is to be practical when seed shopping. There are so many options it is easy to get overwhelmed or carried away, but start by writing a list. If you want to grow food, write down a list of items you and your family eat on a regular basis. Then get a couple packets of something unique and fun as well. Remember how much gardening space you have, as well as the time you have to devote to your garden.

Many easy to grow seeds require minimum maintenance once the soil is prepared (just water and sunshine). Others are high maintenance, but sometimes truly worth your time. Most companies offer free mail catalogs or online versions in case you don’t want to wait. Here are some great companies to look for: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Burpee, Seeds of Change and two California based companies, Peaceful Valley Farm Supply and Renee’s Garden.

Companies that offer heirloom seeds are fantastic, as many of the varieties are unique and time tested. If you’re looking for the hottest pepper on earth or a gorgeous “Cinderella” pumpkin (Rouge vif D’Etampes) these catalogs will have them. Catalogs and websites offer a selection that far surpasses what you’ll see in most stores so shop around.

Once your seeds arrive read the label thoroughly. We’re in climate zone 8b or 9 depending on who you ask, though many packets just simply say plant after last frost, which for us is usually the very end of February. Cold hardy varieties can be planted sooner and others can be started indoors. The label will let you know what to do.

If you still have questions you can usually find the answer online or, even better, call the Tulare County Master Gardener helpline on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at 684-3325 or 684-3326.

Until then, just browse and dream via seed catalogs.

And maybe have another cup of tea.