Monday Musings

PCWD's booth at the Earth Fair on May 21, 2011



A view of a compost bin made we made out of old pallets.

What a wonderful weekend it was!  The weather was just beautiful.  We had a booth at the Earth Fair and it was great to see so many of our customers there.  Many people stopped by to see our ollas and to learn a little about composting.  We had a fabulous spot in the shade and couldn't have been happier with how our booth looked.  We are very grateful to Holly Owens who was so very helpful and worked with us very closely in order for us to have this wonderful exhibit.

I think the Earth Fair was a great success.  Our neighbor booth happened to be Wild California.  For those of you not familiar with them, they sell California native plants.  You can check out their website at http://www.wildcalifornia.co/.

Wild California had a wide variety of plants available for sale and I have put their website in the links bar on the left side of this blog.  Check them out if you are looking for natives that are available close by.

Frugal Friday!

It's time for Frugal Friday again folks.  I wanted to share a little story with everyone today.  I admit, I am a lazy composter.  I read and read and read about it, I know it is good to do and I know how to do it.  However, I find at my home it is easier to just pile it up and let nature take it's course regardless of how long it takes.  So my pile has been sitting there for a couple of years now.  I just keep piling stuff in on top and it seemed to be just sitting there doing nothing. 

So last week my daughter decided she wanted to add some new soil to her pot of chives.  Well, I didn't have any bags of top soil around, so she went out to the compost pile, dug around and low and behold, what did she find?  Black Gold!  That's right, the whole bottom half of my compost pile has now turned to black gold, or compost.  She was so excited as she was in the same camp as my husband as far as my so called compost pile, aka, garbage pile goes.  I kept telling them it would turn to compost, but I think they were skeptical as nothing much seemed to be happening.

So this weekend I will be removing all the compost from my pile and turning what is left and adding more to it!  It is so exciting to have free compost to use.  The best thing about making your own compost is that it comes from stuff you were going to throw out anyway.  So why not put it to good use?

Speaking of composting, I have mentioned this before, but I think it bears repeating.  If you aren't into having a compost pile and don't want to buy a composter, you can use what is called the trench method.  Simply go out into your yard or garden, dig a hole or a trench, what ever you have room for, and bury your kitchen scraps in the dirt.  Just be sure to dig down deep enough that it isn't easily dug up by the critters.  Your done.  It will decompose and turn to compost and enrich the soil right where you buried it.  You don't have to do anything.  This is an excellent way to provide extra nutrients to your existing plants and trees. 

I would like to encourage everyone to try composting.  It doesn't matter if you do it actively or passively, just do it!  It keeps a lot of waste out of the landfills and is good the the soil and the vegetation growing there.  Plus, soil that is amended with compost retains moisture much better than uncomposted soil.  So there is no down side to being a composter.  Stop by our booth at the Earth Fair on May 21st to find out more about composting.

Earth Fair 2011

Just wanted to let you all know that the Pine Cove Water District will have a booth at the Earth Fair again this year.  Last year we did a quick set up to see if there would be enough interest to warrant doing a booth again this year and there was!  Happily, people are interested in saving water and other sustainable living ideas.  So we will be back bigger and better this year!

Our focus for this year will be compost, mulch and water in the garden.  While many of you are familiar with soaker hoses, drip systems and so on, we will be showcasing an very old idea that isn't used much any more but should be!  We will have samples of easy to make compost bins and will have samples of the 3 stages of compost as well as ideas on what to compost.

There will be some other things there as well and lots of information.  So we hope you will stop by and visit us and see what Pine Cove Water District is doing to promote water conservation.

Speaking of Free Stuff!

While we are on the subject of free stuff, don't forget about our bark chip mulch.  We are giving that away free to anyone on the hill.  You can just stop by and load up what you need.  However, if you are wanting an excessively large amount, please call and talk to use about it first.  We like to make sure there is enough for everyone who wants it. 

Why should I use mulch you may ask.  Well, because it helps the soil retain moisture.  Water is a precious commodity and we have to be very careful how we use it.  We should all be taking steps to make our outdoor watering more effective.  Even if you aren't a gardener, putting mulch around the trees or bushes in your yard will help them retain the moisture from rain or snow, thereby giving Mother Nature a helping hand. 

Compost is also useful in the yard or garden, as well amended soil retains moisture much better than non amended soil does.  Ever notice what happens to the water when you try to water some thing and the soil has not been amended with compost?  That's right, it runs off or just sits there.  That is not an effective use of water and your plants won't be doing very well.  Unless you have a whole landscape full of native plants that need this unamended soil, it is a good idea to start adding manure or compost or making your own compost and adding it to the garden.  Many times plants fail because they do not have the right soil conditions, among other things. 

That is another benefit of using mulch in the garden.  It will slowly decompose into compost and you don't have to do a thing.  Passive composting I guess you could call it.  Set it and forget it!  What could be easier and cheaper? 

Sustainable Thursday

Today I was reading our latest copy of Waste Age Magazine.  I know, not exactly my first choice in reading materials, but you just never know when they are going to have an article that is pertinent to PCWD.  This time they had an article about composting and you know how we LOVE composting here at the water district.  Some of the statistics they quoted were kind of surprising to me. 

North America generates more than 80 million tons of organic waste each year, which includes food waste, yard waste and clean wood from forestry projects and the construction and demolition sector.  In the U.S., the EPA estimates that about 1/3 of municipal solid waste is organic.  While approximately 65% of yard wastes is being diverted for recycling, only around 2.5% of food was is currently being recycled. 
(courtesy of Waste Age Feb. 2011 issue)

I am kind of shocked that only 2.5% of food waste is being recycled or composted.  This is such a waste of resources, not to mention all the room it must be taking up in the land fills.  While new technologies are being developed to capture methane gas from landfills to generate electricity or provide fuel, I am not going to get into that here.  What I do want to discuss is composting.  Just think if each household composted their food waste, how much trash could be saved from the landfills.

While I do think it is important that schools, restaurants, hotels and so on get on board with composting as well, that is too big a subject for this little blog.  So we will keep it local and just think about what Pine Covians can do.   While cities like Seattle are miles ahead of us here in Riverside County when it comes to sustainable living, we can follow their lead and set a good example and hopefully push the powers that be in the right direction. 

Composting is an incredibly easy way to begin living sustainably.  It is easier than you think.  I know there is a lot of information out there on how to do it.  You need 3 bins or a spinning bin or one big bin.  You need to check the moisture content and temperature of your compost pile.  You need to constantly turn your pile. You need to layer the greens with the browns, etc., etc., etc.  Forget all that.  Yes you can do it that way, but here is how I do it.

This is for household food composting.  First, get a container for your kitchen counter or put it under your sink.  You can buy these online or you can do like I do and use an old stainless steel bowl.  What ever you decide to use, just make sure it is easy to clean and has a lid and don't get something so big that it will take 3 months to fill up.  Stainless steel or ceramic work really well.  I took an old lid from a stock pot and put it on top of my old bowl.  Not the most attractive of kitchen accessories, but it does the job and is easy to keep clean.

Step two.  Put all your scraps into this bowl.  I put in everything but meat.  That means veggies that have gone bad in your fridge, veggie peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, scraps off your plate after a meal, egg shells, paper towel and toilet paper rolls and so on.  When your container is full, simply take it outside, dig a hole somewhere in your garden and bury the scraps.  That is it.  It takes about 10 minutes out of my day once every week or two.  I do this in my veggie garden in the off season and during the summer I put it around the yard near the trees and other plants.  The scraps will compost themselves and you don't have to worry about doing anything else.  Just make sure you dig down far enough that animals don't come buy and dig it back up.  And if they do happen to do that, no big deal, just re-bury everything.   Easy Peasy!

Compost is a wonderful addition to the garden.  It provides nutrients for plants and trees and amended soil has better water retention, thereby conserving water.  Add a layer of mulch to that and you are conserving even more water. Here on the hill it is important to conserve water no matter how wet of a winter we have had. Droughts are a fact of life and a few good years won't necessarily end the drought situation. Even if it does, we should always be conserving because you just never know when a drought will return. By making water conservation a way of life, we are caring for our resources and ensuring that we will have water for our future needs.

Monday Musings

Monday again. How fast they seem to come around. While the weekend wasn't all that warm, it was nice to have a break from the snow and rain. This week is calling for fairly clear weather. I am personally hoping that the snow we have gets to melt off before we get more. We are off to a good start with moisture. I hope it continues through the rest of the winter. However, I am hoping that we do have a nice spring this year as I don't prefer snow in May like we had last year. Unfortunately, the weather rarely seems to take my wishes into consideration.

Once the holidays are over and we get into January, it is hard not to start to look forward to the nicer weather here on the hill and planning for the garden. We still have free bark chips that make excellent mulch if you are in need of mulch. It is an excellent way to help your trees and plants retain moisture. It also slowly decomposes, adding important nutrient rich compost to your soil and you don't have to do a thing. So stop on by and pick some up

Frugal Friday!

Here we are at the end of the week already. It is amazing how fast the time seems to fly. I was reading the Winterizing Guide put out by the Town Crier and I noticed there was an article on getting your trees ready for winter. It said a layer of mulch 2 to 3 inches thick is helpful. Well luckily, we still have FREE MULCH! That's right. It is free to anyone here on the hill. Many people have already taken advantage of this, but we would like to see even more people jump on the mulching bandwagon.

Now that we have the first snow under out belt, and it is melting, this is a good time to talk about doing some composting. The ground is a little moist and that makes it perfect to start adding some compost to your trees or garden. I have a very simple method.

You will need a container for your kitchen counter. You can buy a fancy, schmacy one, but I use an old stainless steel mixing bowl and an extra pot lid. As I cook through out the week, everything for the compost goes into the bowl. Onion peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags, banana peels and so on. You know the drill. You can even put a little card board in there like the rolls from your toilet tissue.

Once your container is full, go out to your yard and dig a hole large enough to hold the contents of your bowl. Be sure it is deep enough that nothing can come along and dig it up easily. I usually try to go down about a foot or so. Dump the contents of your container into the hole. I then chop it up with the shovel a little bit and then cover with dirt. That's it, you are done. The contents will slowly decompose and provide nutriets for the plants and you can wash out your container and start all over again.

This is a simple, easy, cheap and quick, way to provide wonderful compost for your trees and garden without the hassel of keeping a large compost pile somewhere in your yard.

So there are two things you can start doing right away to help your garden and they will cost you nothing but a little time.

Monday Musings

Well, another month has gone by. What a beautiful weekend we had to end October with. Rain on Saturday then giving way to the most beautiful autumn day on Sunday. Very pleasant weather for trick or treaters to prowl around Idyllwild. With weather predictions being sunny and mild for the next few days, I am looking forward to getting out into the garden and finishing up my end of summer chores.

One thing I always try to do at this time of year is to add compost and/or manure to the garden so it can sit all winter long. I have noticed that sometimes when I add it in the spring, it is a little to potent and by letting it sit all winter, it mellows out just a little and my little seedlings love it.

With winter fast approaching, now is the perfect time to get the garden ready to go to sleep for the long winter months ahead. With predictions of a dryer than normal winter ahead, it is also the perfect time to get your trees and plants all mulched in as well. This not only protects the roots, but helps the soil to retain what ever moisture we do happen to get. We have to make the most of the moisture we do receive, so being that we have FREE mulch available, why not take advantage of the situation and do your garden a favor?

You can also mulch down your veggie garden, even though there is nothing growing in it right now. This helps prevent it from getting water logged through out the winter. The snow will gently melt down through the mulch and into the soil, rather than sitting on top of it and melting and creating mud puddles.

Remember we have FREE mulch for anyone to help themselves too and we also have bags of manure available for Pine Cove Water District customers as well. Each customer can have one bag for free. Just come in and ask for it!

It's Frugal Friday!

Ok, here we are in the middle of October and the weather has been beautiful so far. This is wonderful news for gardeners and their gardens. Working in this beautiful weather makes even garden chores seem pleasant. This is also a great time to plant trees, bare root roses or shrubs and bulbs. Fall planting gives plants a chance to establish roots and eliminates the need to water during the winter months. Come spring, your plants have had a head start and reward you by springing to life.

Since we are trying to be frugal while gardening, now is the time to clean, oil, sharpen and put away those garden tools. By taking care of them, they will last much longer than if you don't. Who wants to keep spending money on the same things over and over again just because you let them sit outside all winter long?

If you do have some tools that have seen their better days, why not recycle them into the garden? Even household items that have outlived their usefulness indoors, can find their way into the garden to continue being useful. Old tool handles can become stakes for vines. Metal headboards can also be used as supports for climbing plants. Clam shell contains, like the kind muffins come in, can be re-purposed into mini greenhouses for winter seed sowing.

Old pantyhose and T-shirts can be used to tie up plants and old shower curtains can find a new use as tarps out in the yard. They are great to lay out on the ground when you are raking leaves and need to move them to the compost pile. Simply pile them up on top of the shower curtain and then pull it over to the compost pile. If you use your imagination, I am sure you can come up with lots of uses.

Now is also a perfect time to add a layer of mulch to your garden if you haven't already done so. And guess what? We are giving it away, free of charge! What could be more frugal than getting something great for your garden for free? Adding mulch to your garden will help it retain moisture over the winter months as well as protect plant roots from harsh winds and freeze and thaw cycles. The mulch will also slowly decompose over time, enriching your soil with wonderful compost. Compost rich soil retains water better as well, thereby reducing your need to water as often come summer.

So get out there and enjoy this beautiful weather and get some autumn gardening done before it is too late!

Garden chores

Hopefully, autumn will soon be upon us. With that in mind it is time to get out into the garden an get going on autumn chores. Any work you do now will be less you have to do come spring. While there is a lot to be done in the fall, the cooler temps make working outside pleasureable once again.

Now is an excellent time to add compost to your soil. It helps the soil retain moisture and this in turn conserves water. If you have oak trees in your yard, you can rake up the leaves and add them to your compost pile. Don't have a compost pile? Make one. You can be very low tech and just make a pile in the corner of the yard somewhere. Pile you leaves up, wet them down and Mother Nature will quietly work to turn those leaves into compost.

Once your soil is amended with compost you will want to add a layer of mulch to help protect it. This is esepcially beneficially to plants and trees as it helps reduce water loss. Plants transpire water through their leaves and evergreens will continue to lose water this way during the winter. Moisture must then be taken up by the plants' roots. The roots will will continue to absorb moisture when it is available, but when you aren't watering, when the ground is frozen or there is a dry spell, the necessary moisture is not availabe. The plants will continue to transpire water but at this time it draws moisture from living cells. If too much water is give off from this source, the cell dies leaving brown out. Adding compost to the soil and then a layer of mulch, helps retain moisture in the soil enabling the plant to continue to absorb moisture through it's roots and give it off through it's leaves or needles. This will result in healthier, better looking plants and trees come spring.

Of course, you can take that one step further and get a compost bin and compost not only your leaves, but your kitchen scraps as well. You can get fancy composters that spin around, 3 section composters or a basic bin that you toss your thinks into. No matter how you go about it, composting is a good thing to be doing.

Now is a good time to trim up your hardwoods and plant bulbs, bare root roses, shrubs and trees. A little effort now will be rewarded come spring as everything you planted in the fall burts to life in the spring. Plus it will give you peace of mind all through the winter knowing that you prepared your garden for winter and will not be faced with a garden mess come spring.

It is also the perfect time to clean out your rain gutters or add them if you don't already have them. You can set up a rain harvesting system now as well. The more snow and rain you collect over the winter months, the less water you will have to use to irrigate your garden come summer.

Once done with your garden chores, clean off your tools, oil them or have them sharpened if necessary and put them away. It would be a good idea to dig out your snow shovels and put them where they can be easily reached. If you have a snow blower, check it over and make sure it is in good operating condition and that you have gas for it if it is gas powered. Waiting until the snow is falling fast to find your cold weather equipment is never a good idea.

Fall seems to come and go quickly some years and there is much to be done before winter settles over us. As your garden sleeps you can rest easy knowing you prepared it for it's long nap and come spring you will already be one step ahead of the gardening game.

Autumn

Well another summer has flown by and as autumn quickly approaches, we need to start thinking about preparing for winter. Autumn is a wonderful time to add compost to you yard and garden. The single most important thing you can do to help your soil retain water, is to amend it with compost. If your soil is able to retain moisture, it will help your plants and trees and reduce the amount of water you need to use for outside watering. Amending your soil prior to winter's arrival ensures that your plants and trees will be able to absorb and retain moisture throughout the winter season, which in turn will keep them healthier and enable them to fight off disease and pests.

If you are a gardener, then you probably already realize the benefits of adding compost to the garden. Once you have your garden all cleaned out, it is the perfect time to add some compost.

Autumn is also a wonderful time to add a layer of mulch to your garden as well. Adding mulch or topping off what you have, will help to protect your plants as well as slowly decompose, adding valuable nutrients to the soil without you having to do anything at all. It will help retain moisture and prevent runoff. If you are in need of mulch, we have bark chips available for FREEto anyone who lives on the hill. Just stop by and help yourself. They are located behind the workshop/garage on Marion Ridge Rd.

Chickens and Salmonella

We have all heard of the recent egg recall due to a salmonella outbreak. Personally I haven't followed this story very closely because I do not buy eggs from the store. I have my own flock of backyard chickens and have since 2001. I cannot bear to think of how these factory farms keep their chickens cooped up 4 to a cage, de-beak them and never let them out into the sunshine. The spend their whole, miserable lives in a cage and their feet never touch the earth. To me, this is just not acceptable. Now with this latest news of salmonella, it makes you wonder if eggs are even safe to eat.

So what is the solution? Well, it is quite simple really. Raise your own chickens. I know, many people have an aversion to livestock, especially in residential areas, however, chickens are really quite easy to care for, do not have to be an eyesore, are quieter than dogs and are a lot of fun to watch. Plus they earn their keep by providing you with wonderful, fresh, healthy, delicious eggs.

If you do not keep a rooster, then there will not be that much noise from the chickens. Yes, they make some noise when laying an egg, but if you had to go through labor and delivery every day or so, you would yell too! The only other time they make a fuss, is if they feel threatened by a dog or coyote, which is actually a good thing as it alerts me that something is outside the coop. They are much nicer to listen to than a barking dog and when they do make noise it is for a reason. Normally they just go about their business looking for bugs, eating, drinking and taking dirt baths,

Chickens are pretty self sufficient and just need a little care from their human each day. They need fresh, clean water, food and a safe, fenced in place they can stratch around outside. The amount of space needed depends on how many chickens you have. Of course, the more chickens you have, the more space you will need for them.

You will need a shelter for them. If you search online, you will find some pretty imaginative set ups. These can be simple or elaborate. Some communities now have a chicken coop tour each summer and some chicken owners take this whole coop buisiness very seriously. If you are only going to have a few chickens, a dog house would work. Just make sure it has good ventilation and protects them from predators and the elements.

Daily care consists of feeding them, giving them water, gathering the eggs and I try to clean out the nest boxes ever day or two. There is always one or two chickens who decide the nest boxes make great beds and settle in one each evening. A couple times a year you will need to clean out the entire coop. A clean coop makes for healthy chickens. This takes and hour or two to accomplish and I usually do it in the spring after winter is over and in the fall right before it begins again. When I clean out the coop in the spring, the droppings and shavings all go into to the compost bin. When I clean it out in the winter, it goes directly into the garden to compost over the winter months. You can also hose down the walls and the floor once the coop is all cleaned out.

In the evening, the chickens will put themselves to bed with no coaxing from you. Just be sure they have a place to go that is secure from preditors. Chickens like to perch at night and it is easy to provide them a place to perch. Wooden closet rods work very well as perches as do tree branches. What you use will depend on your coop set up and what sort of materials you have available to you

They will need a good chicken food formulated for laying chickens and some scratch, which is just cracked corn. You can also provide grit and oyster shell for them. The great thing about chickens though is that they can eat your kitchen scraps. They will eat a wide variety of food from your kitchen, there by eliminating a lot of wasted food. Just don't give them any meat, potato peels or citrus. Fruits, veggies, salad, bread, pasta, they love it all. Even certain plants from the garden are safe to give them. I keep a chicken bowl in my fridge and that is where I put all my scraps throughout the day. Come dinner time, they get their treat. The means there is almost no waste in my kitchen.

Keeping chickens has been such a wonderful and rewarding hobby for my family. There is nothing like going out to the coop and gathering the eggs. I never will tire of that ever. It is still so amazing to me that they do that. The eggs from your chickens will taste so much better than the ones from the store and you will wonder how you ever ate the store bought eggs. You will notice that the yolks are a bright orange rather than a pale yellow. The more fruits and veggies you feed them, the darker and more flavorful the yolks will be come. You can also add flax seed to their diet and there by increase the Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet. Eggs from a backyard flock of chickens that are well cared for can be extremely healthy for you.

There are a couple of schools of thought on how to store eggs once you gather them from the coop. Some wash and refrigerate others do not. That is a decision you will have to make for yourself. Do some research and see which method is right for you. Eggs do have a protective coating on them when they are laid and washing them will remove that coating. I do minimal washing and follow this rule. If there is poo on them they get washed and if there isn't, they do not. I do refrigerate my eggs, although others do not.

If you haven't considered raising your own chickens, think about it. Here is a wonderful link to start your research with.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/eggs.aspx

There are many sites online that have a wealth of information about raising chickens and what the benefits are. In this day and age, it might be wise to go back to some of the old ways, because apparently the new ways are working out so well, but don't get me started on that!

The Pine Cove Conservation Cafe

I am announcing a new feature on the blog that I hope will go over well. It is the Pine Cove Conservation Cafe. It is all about water saving tips that our customers are using in their homes and gardens. Do you have a great water saving tip? If so, send it in to us at pcwd2675@yahoo.com and I will post it here on the blog. Have pictures of your garden? Send them in and I will post them also.

Just make sure you send your name, street address and what the picture is of. We love to see what is going on in the gardens around Pine Cove. I will start off by posting some pictures of my garden, which is located at 25150 Marion Ridge Dr. within the next couple of days.

Some things I have been doing in my garden are adding compost to the soil for several years now to improve the soil and it's water retaining abilities. I am also using the free mulch we have availabe here at the water district to reduce watering and help retain moisture. I am watering in the evening or in the early morning to avoid mid day evaportation and I have started adding soaker hoses and will eventually move up to a drip irrigation system. I have also started a compost pile, but I need to be more diligent with it as it is just kind of sitting there. I plan to go out and turn it and add some water to it this week and see if I can get it going. I will try to get some horse manure to add to it as well. That usually helps it heat up.

So get out into your yard and take some pictures and send them in. We look forward
to seeing what is happening the the gardens of Pine Covers.

Gardens

Well folks, with the 4th of July holiday behind us, summer is in full swing. That means outdoor gardening efforts are stepping up. We want to remind everyone that we have lots of mulch available FREE OF CHARGE to help you conserve water in your garden.

If you haven't already, now might be a great time to start a compost pile. Soil that has been amended with compost retains more moisture and therefore makes your watering efforts more productive.

Even if you don't garden, the trees and other plants that are in your yard can benefit from the addition of compost. Compost not only helps the soil retain water, but it nourishes it as well, providing much needed nutrients to trees and other plants you may have in your yard. If you do nothing else, add some compost to your soil.

If you do enjoy gardening and would like to share your garden with others, please feel free to email me your pictures at pcwd2675@yahoo.com and I will happily post them here on the blog.

In fact, I would love to post any pictures you take around the Pine Cove area. So go ahead and email them to me.
o

What the heck is permaculture?

As a gardener, I am constantly doing research trying to find the best methods for growing things. Since it is a challenge to grow anything here on the hill, I am always hoping to find ways of growing things that are natural and will attract the local wildlife to my yard. Working in harmony with nature, rather than working against it. In my research I constantly see the word permaculture being thrown around. But what exactly is permaculture anyway? Is it the same as organic gardening? Sometimes I find all these terms to be confusing, and so I thought I would try to sort them out and shed some light on them so we all understand them better and can therefore put them to better use in our own gardens.

From the research I have been doing, I have found that permaculture is primarily about design, while organic gardening is a way of gardening. While an organic garden is a part of permaculture, it couldn't be called a permaculture unless it has been permaculture designed, in which case it would then be more than just an organic garden. Here is a wonderful description of permaculture from the IDEP Foundation's website:

Permaculture design seeks harmonious integration of landscape and people to provide food, shelter, energy and other material or non-material needs in a sustainable way.
This holistic ecological approach to the design and development of human settlements takes into account food production, structures, technologies, energy, natural resources, landscape, animal systems, plant systems, and social and economic structures.

Permaculture is applicable to both urban and rural contexts, and to any scale of design. It is about working with, rather than against, nature.

Permaculture draws upon traditional practices of earth stewardship and integrates this with appropriate modern technology. The term ‘permaculture’ was coined in the 1970s by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. Work is now being carried out in over 100 countries by many thousands of permaculture design graduates.

Permaculture is about the whole picture, not just the how to's of composting or organic gardening. It is about designing a sustainable environment. It is about providing our needs in a way that works in harmony with nature. It is not only about food production, but about utilizing all our resources. It is about how and what we build and how we live. So just what would a permaculture look like?

Well, in addition to just growing food, it will have habitats for wildlife, birds and pest predators. It should consider the elements of fire, sun and wind in creating micro-climates for plants, animals and for the home. It will also address the cycles of water. It is about placing things in relationship to each other so that they work in harmony as a whole.

The following is a list of design principles from the IDEP Foundation's website:


Permaculture Design Principles

Diversity : Aims to integrate a variety of beneficial species of food, plants and animals into design. This builds a stable interactive polycultural system which provides for human needs and also for the needs of other species.

Edge Effect : In general, there is more energy and more diversity of life on the edge where two types of natural systems overlap. On these borders one can access the resources of both sides. Using the edge effect, and other natural patterns that you observe, creates the best effect.

Energy Planning : Placing the elements of your design in such a way as to minimize the use of energy (including fossil fuels and human labor). Utilizing the energy and resources that you have, first on-site and then from outside the system, as effectively as possible. Onsite energy resources include natural forces such as gravity, windpower and waterpower. This saves time, energy and money.

Energy Cycling : In a natural system there is no waste or pollution. The output from one natural process becomes the resource for another. Recycle and reuse all of resources as many times as possible.

Scale : Creating human-scale systems. Choose simple, appropriate technologies for use in designs. Only create systems that are manageable. Start small and take achievable steps towards an ideal goal.

Biological Resources : Use natural methods and processes to achieve tasks. Find things in nature (plants, animals, microbes) that are supportive of the system design and minimize outside energy input.

Multiple Elements : Support each vital need and essential function in more than one way, so that a temporary failure in one element will not stop the functioning of others. Also, recognize that there is almost always more than one way to achieve any task.

Multiple Functions : Most things can be used in a variety of ways and for a variety of functions. One rule of thumb in Permaculture is to try to design three uses for every element of the system. This can save space, time and complication in any particular project.

Natural Succession : Work with nature and the processes of natural systems. Anticipate future developments through research and observation when necessary.

Relative Location : Place every element of your design in relationship to others so that they benefit from each other. For example, store tools near where they will be used.

As I read more about permaculture, it is becoming very simple and clear. It is basically a method of living and working with nature instead of against it. It is using natural methods to accomplish what we need to do. Most of it is common sense and being organized. Things like putting your kitchen garden that needs tending the most, closest to your back door. Using trees to cool your house instead of air conditioners. Collecting rain water for use during dry periods. Having a compost pile near the garden.

An easy way to think of it is as zones. Zones are guidelines to help plan where things will be placed in a landscape. The key to efficient energy planning is the use of zone and sector planning. To plan what elements to put in various zones, consider how many times per year they will be visited. Put what you use most near to your house or the center of activity. Put those things which are visited least and need the least maintenance in areas farthest from the center of activity. Makes sense, right?

ZONE 0: This is your house zone and the center of activity. It should be an energy efficient, easy to maintain design that provides all your basic needs for your lifestyle.

ZONE 1: Contains your kitchen gardens. These are gardens which need continual observation, frequent visits, watering and work input. This zone would include garden areas for vegetables and herbs, small animals, a place for your garden tools, a compost system, rain water storage, clothes lines, greenhouses and so on.

ZONE 2: This is your Food Forest. A food forest is a dense planting of mixed orchard trees, shrubs, windbreaks, larger vegetables, terraces, possible grey water drainage, bees, bird and bee-attracting plants and so on. Plant and animal species which require care and observation would go in this zone. For example, milking goats or a flock of backyard chickens, fenced in from a pasture.

ZONE 3: This is a Farm zone. Most of us won't have this zone unless we have a large amount of land and live somewhere like Anza. It would include commercial crops, pastures for animals, green manure, aquaculture, low maintenance trees, large systems, big sheds, woodlot, windbreaks and so on.

ZONE 4: This is known as the Harvest Forest and again, most of us won't have this zone in our yards here on the hill and won't be chopping down trees for wood. Zone 4is a semi-managed/semi-wild area which borders forest and is managed for wild gathering, forest and fuel needs, hardy food, unpruned trees, grazing and so forth.

ZONE 5: This is a Wilderness Unmanaged area or a barely managed natural wild area. If you have a large property, you might have a zone like this. Again, many of us will not. This zone is a place for learning and observing. A place where we are "visitors", not "managers".

When you start looking at your house and your yard as zones, it soon becomes clear what the principles of permaculture are and with a little research, you will soon be making effective use of the property you have, not matter how large or small it is. From there you can move onto sustainable and organic practices both in your home and in your garden. Before long you will have your own permaculture happening right in your own backyard.

Sustainable Thursday

This week while searching for an interesting topic to discuss, I came across something I had never heard of before. Keyhole gardens. While they are used a lot in Africa, I had never heard of them before. Their design is very simple and uses permaculture methods and would be very beneficial to gardeners everywhere. Their unique design makes them a combination of a raised bed garden and a compost pile all in one structure. They are extremely efficient and can be custom built to an individuals specific needs. By building the garden about 3 feet high, they are easy for people who may be older, disabled or have back problems to care for. In fact, that is one of the reasons they use them in Africa. Since so many are chronically ill there, these gardens make it possible for them to grow food for themselves and their families.

After doing some research this week, I have found you can make them from a variety of materials and in any size you desire. As the name implies, they are shaped like a keyhole. They are round with a small, angled path on one end. The compost section is right in the middle and the path makes it easy to walk up to the compost pile and add to it. If you don't prefer to have a compost pile in the middle of your keyhole garden, you could have a tree, a water feature or a rain barrel there instead.

Keyhole gardens can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Some are made from stone and others just from wire fencing. You could use bricks, landscape stones, river rocks, fencing or whatever strikes your fancy. You can use recycled materials or have it made to match your home. Let you imagination run wild.

There are many benefits of these types of gardens. It is an excellent way to grow a lot of vegetables in a small space. There is a wonderful article on permaculture and keyhole gardens at www.gardeningknowhow. com/organic/the-essence-of-permaculture-gardening.htm. Also if you do a search on Google for keyhole gardens, you will be able to find a wealth of pictures of keyhole gardens which will give you many ideas on how you too can build one in your own yard. There are many other wonderful articles online as well. This is a topic well worth researching.

Since they retain water better than a traditional garden, this makes them ideal for here on the hill. If you are wanting to do some gardening this summer, I would suggest giving a keyhole garden a try. If you do, send us pictures and let us know how it turns out. We love to hear of everyone's gardening adventures.

Sustainable Thursday

As Easter looms in the not to far off distance, we are reminded that spring is a renewing time of year. It never ceases to amaze me each year how the plants here on our mountain know it is spring and time to bloom and grow. While some are slower than others, it is amazing to walk through the yard and see all the activity going on. Bulbs are springing to life, leaves on certain trees are budding up. Roses are growing after being dormant for the long, cold winter. Things just seem to be re-born everywhere you look.

It doesn't stop with the plants either. All of a sudden the birds are a buzz with activity and the squirrels are out and about in full force. I am sure it won't be long until the insects figure out it is spring and arrive in full force as well. The ants already seem to have figured that out, so the others can't be far behind.

In order to avoid a mosquito invasion, make sure you do not have any standing water around your house or yard. With all the snow we have had this past winter, it is easy for any type of a container left outside to become full of water and harbor a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Check around your property and make sure you empty out any standing water. Mosquitoes can carry diseases and it is best to play it safe.

As always, we have to be aware of the danger of rattlesnakes. While this is a subject that sends fear through my entire being, it is something we must be aware of. Always take precautions around wood piles and any other places you think a snake could be hanging out. After almost stepping on a rattlesnake in my own front yard one day, I am now more observant when I am outside gardening or walking around. One favorite hide out for them is under propane tanks and under the lids on the propane tanks. While rattlesnakes are a part of nature, they are a part I do not wish to encounter, so being extremely cautious is how I deal with the situation. As it warms up and we are outside cleaning up our yards, remember that the rattlesnakes may be warming up as well and ready to come out for that first sunbath of the year. Keep yourself safe.

If you have the urge to start planting, remember to add compost to your soil so that it will retain water better and then top that with mulch to keep the moisure in. We are still offering a free bag of compost to Pine Cove Water District customers and we are offering FREE wood chips to anyone who wants them. Come and take advantage of these offers while you can.

We are also giving away blue bird houses. Now is the time to come and pick one up and get it hung up in a tree so the birds can make their nests. We also have water saving kits available to our customers. They contain a water saving shower head as well as an aerator and low flow spigots and they are absolutely FREE!

Sustainable Thursday

After a week of fairly nice weather, it seems everyone is ready for spring to arrive. It feels good to have the sun upon my face when I go outside and it is wonderful to see the actual ground again. I know it is early and I shouldn't get too excited yet as Old Man Winter could still throw us a few punches.

However, while the weather is nice it gives us a break and we can enjoy a few spring time activities while waiting to see if winter is gone for good.

1. Hang your clothes outside to dry. Since the sun has been shining and it has been over 50 degrees outside, why not use your solar clothes dryer? You will save energy and your clothes will smell so fresh and good. I can remember during the summer as a child, climbing into freshly washed sheets that were dried on the line outside and smelled so good that I would just bury my face into my pillow and take a deep breath. Then my mom got a new dryer and all that ended.

At my house though, that tradition was revived. When my first child arrived in May of 1977, it turned out to be twins and so I spent all summer that year hanging out dozens and dozens of receiving blankets, crib sheets, undershirts and sleepers. Even though I had a dryer, the clothes came off the line smelling so fresh and clean that it was worth the extra effort. Add to that a couple of freshly bathed and powdered baby girls and the sweet smell of the baby and the line dried clothes mixed together was intoxicating to a then new mom.

It is my hope that all 4 of my daughters will have memories of climbing into sheets dried outside on the clothes line and I hope my grandbabies will have memories of visiting Grandma & Grandpa in the mountains and remember how good the sheets smelled when they were tucked into bed while visiting. Drying clothes outside on the line not only saves energy, it makes memories!

2. Get some compost and mulch into your yard. I love working in the yard at this time of year. Mainly because the soil is so moist and easy to dig up. While it is still to early to do a lot of serious planting, it is a great time to add compost to your soil. We sometimes forget that our trees can use some extra nutrients as well as our garden plants. Once you get your soil amended, don't forget to add a layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture. Well composted soil holds water much better than uncomposted soil and a layer of mulch will not only help retain moisture, but if you use something natural like woodchips, they too will break down into compost over time and add even more nutrients to the soil.

If you are gardening on a budget, don't forget that Pine Cove Water District is giving away FREE bark chips to be used as mulch. We are also giving away one free bag of COMPOST to any Pine Cove Water District customer that comes in an requests one. We want to get everyone off to a good start this spring, so stop by and pick yours up now!

3. Stop water runoff in your yard. Now is also a great time to go out into your yard and add berms and swales to retain and hold water and/or snow runoff. Check your rainspouting for leaks and add rainbarrels to catch the runoff from your roof. This water can then be used later in the year for irrigation. Check for leaks and repair any you find immediately. Winter can be hard on our pipes and our outdoor irrigation systems. Customers are responsible for all the water that runs through their meter, so catching leaks early saves money, time and property. Don't wait until it becomes a major problem that is going to cost thousands of dollars to fix. What is that old saying? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is very true when it comes to keeping your irrigation system in top notch shape.

4. Get a jump start on your fire abatement. I know it is hard to think of fire season when we have just seen the last of the snow melt, but we have to remember it is fire season up here all year round. Take advantage of this nice weather to clean off your roof and get your yard raked up. It is easier to work in this cooler weather than it is to work in 80+ degrees. Plus, if you do it now, while others are scrambling to get their abatement done, you can sit smuggly back with your feet up, sipping on an iced tea, reading a good book. When it comes to fire prevention, you can never do too much or do it too soon. Keeping up with fire abatement makes the job easier than when you let it go for long periods of time and saves you from being cited or fined for not complying.

So even though spring may or may not have sprung, there are still somethings we can get a jump start on. Doing some of your gardening chores now will leave you more free time to play when the nice weather does finally comes to stay.

Unusual things you can compost

The next time you are throwing an item in the trash, think about whether you can compost it instead. There are many things that can be added to your compost pile, and later used to grow some great tasting vegetables or herbs. Everyone that is familiar with composting knows that things like grass clippings, and dead tree limbs are great additions to a compost pile, but what about some ordinary items from around the house?

There are many things you can add to your compost pile that you may never think about, here are 30 such items:


1.Pet fur
2.Hair from a hairbrush
3.Fingernail/toenail clippings
4.Pet toe nail clippings
5.Dry pet food
6.Droppings and newspaper from bird cages
7.Fish food flakes
8.Alfalfa pellets or hay used to feed rabbits
9.Vacuum cleaner fluff
10.Dryer lint
11.Cotton balls(Use the 100% cotton balls; avoid using the synthetic types)
12.Coffee grounds
13.Coffee filters
14.Paper bags (shredded)
15.Egg shells (It is best to microwave or heat shells in the oven for 10 minutes prior to composting> This will kill any bacteria such as salmonella)
16.Used paper towels
17.Used paper plates (avoid using paper plates that are heavily stained from meats or dairy products)
18.Dust from dusting
19.Ashes from a fireplace or barbeque grill
20.Some leather items (avoid using leathers that have dyes or other colorings)
21.Old paper back books (just the pages with black & white print; remove glossy color-printed covers)
22.Newspaper
23.Toilet paper rolls
24.Small, thin cardboard boxes (like mac & cheese or Hamburger Helper boxes that are torn into small peices)
25.Tea bags
26.Cooked plain rice
27.Wine corks
28.Stale cereal
29.Old Christmas trees (shredded or chipped)
30.Old Jack-O-Lanterns

Are there any unusual things that you compost? If so, let us know!

Composting Methods

Here is a very good and informative article on composting methos by the University of Illinois Extension. I explains very simply, the different methods there are to compost. Several methods are extremely simple and require no compost pile. Enjoy!

Composting Methods


•Holding Units
•Turning Units
•Heaps
•Sheet Composting
•Pit Trenching


The secret to successful composting is to select an approach and technique that suits your needs and lifestyle. Your choice will depend on a number of factors such as how much space you have available, what materials you have, how you plan to use the compost, how much time you want to spend, and how neat you want your compost pile to look. For example, if you only need a little compost, want to expend minimal effort, and have a small area to do it in, your best choice might be a commercially available bin. If you have plenty of space and want large quantities of compost quickly, you may want to build a deluxe three bin unit. If you want to compost vegetative food waste separately, you may find it easiest to directly incorporate them into the soil. This lesson will cover four methods of composting: holding units, turning units, heaps and sheet composting. Other composting alternatives such as leaving grass clippings on the lawn, mulching, and vermi-composting (worm composting) are discussed later.

Holding Units

Holding units are bins used to hold yard and kitchen materials until composting is complete. They need relatively little maintenance, and some models can be used by apartment dwellers for composting on balconies. Nonwoody materials can be added to a holding unit as they are generated. (Many of the commercial one bin systems sold in stores and mail-order catalogs are holding units.) Using a holding unit is one of the easiest ways to compost but is generally slower. This type of enclosure makes it difficult to turn the heap as a way of increasing oxygen. No turning is required, but the lack of aeration causes the composting process to take from six months to two years.

The process can be hastened by using portable bins. Some lightweight units are designed to be taken apart and easily moved. These units can be removed from an existing heap and transferred to an adjacent location. The heap is then turned back over into the unit, mixing and aerating materials. Portable units can be purchased (usually plastic) or constructed from circles of wire fencing or hardware cloth, snow fencing, or wire framed in wood.

Other folks attempt to improve aeration in holding units by adding one or more ventilating stacks or by poking holes into the pile. Ventilating stacks need to be placed into the center of the bin prior to making a pile. Stacks can be made out of perforated pipe, a cylinder of wire mesh or even a bunch of twigs loosely tied together. PVC pipes should be at least one inch in diameter with holes drilled randomly along the length. They can be inserted vertically or horizontally. Another alternative to improve aeration is to place the holding unit on a wood pallet or plastic aeration mat (available from composting equipment dealers).

In holding units, stages of decomposition will vary from the top to the bottom of the heap since yard trimmings and other organics are added continuously. Typically, the more finished compost will be found near the bottom of a pile. Finished compost at the bottom can be removed and used. How easily one gets to the finished compost depends on the type of bin used. Some holding units are designed with a removable front or small doors at the bottom of the bin. With portable bins, finished and unfinished compost can be separated using a similar method to the one described previously. The portable bin should be removed and set nearby. Less decomposed materials from the top of the pile can be put into the empty unit until finished compost is uncovered. More effort is required for heavy or permanent holding units without removable doors. Unfinished compost must be removed and placed in an adjoining unit or temporary storage container. If you have room, it is helpful to have two or three stationary units. One bin can be used for fresh organics, another for maturing materials, and possibly, a third for finished compost.

In addition to the portable bins mentioned earlier, there are numerous other types of commercial and home-built units. Stores and mail order catalogs typically sell units made from plastic and occasionally wood. Home-built units can be constructed from pallets, lumber, hardware cloth, tires, and metal barrels, among other materials. Some people like the appearance of permanent structures which can be made from landscape timbers, concrete blocks, rocks, or bricks.

If you plan to build a wood composting unit, avoid using this lumber treated with copper arsenate (CCA), creosote, and penta. (You should also avoid using the lumber around vegetable gardens.) Toxic compounds from the wood preservatives could leach into your compost. The compounds are harmful to humans and pets. They have been shown to cause cancer and skin and eye irritations. Use wood that is naturally resistant to decay such as cedar or untreated pine. Structures built from pine will probably have to be replaced within a few years. By then, you may be ready for a multiple bin unit or a new design.

Turning Units

Turning units are systems designed to be turned or aerated. These units work faster than holding units, because aerobic bacteria are provided with the oxygen they need to break down materials. There are two general forms of turning units: either a series of bins, or a rotating barrel or rolling ball. When organic materials are turned and mixed on a regular basis (every five to ten days), compost can be made in two months or less (assuming a good carbon/nitrogen mix and proper moisture content). Frequent turning offers important advantages in addition to faster composting. Higher temperatures produced as a result of turning (90° - 140° F) will kill major disease organisms and fly larvae, help kill weed seeds, and provide a good environment for the most effective decomposer organisms.

Turning systems typically cost more than holding units and/or require greater effort to build. Turning composting materials in multiple bins and rolling balls may be difficult for people with back problems or limited physical strength. In contrast, some barrel units are designed for ease of turning and maintenance. These systems may actually be easier to use than holding units for older or physically challenged composters. Barrel units tend to have smaller capacities than most other bins, which make them better suited for people with small amounts of yard trimmings and food scraps.

Materials need to be carefully prepared and added to turning units in stockpiled batches. Materials should be saved until there is enough to fill one bin of a multiple unit, or to fill a barrel unit to the prescribed level. Food wastes can be accumulated in a pest-proof container such as a plastic, five gallon bucket. If necessary, sawdust can be added to the top of each day's scraps to reduce odor.

Heaps

Heap composting is similar to composting with holding and turning units except that it does not require a structure. Recommended dimensions for a heap are 5 feet wide by 3 feet high. Length can vary depending on the amount of materials used. Heaps take more space due to gravity. The wider width will help the pile retain heat better. Materials can be added as they are generated or they can be stored until enough are available to make a good sized heap. During fall months, making a good sized heap will help the composting process work longer into the winter season. Ideally, two heaps are better than one. When the first heap is large enough, it should be allowed to compost undisturbed. A second heap can be started with new materials.

Turning a heap is optional. The composting process will obviously take longer if the pile is not turned. Food scraps should not be thrown on an unturned pile because pests are likely to be attracted. Woody materials may also pose a problem. If woody materials are not cut up into small pieces, the pile may tend to become more of a brush pile than a composting pile. A woody pile decomposes extremely slowly, usually over a period of several years, and can become huge quickly.

Sheet Composting

Sheet composting is a way to obtain the benefits of decayed organic material without building a composting pile. Sheet composting involves spreading a thin layer of organic materials, such as leaves, over a garden area. The materials are then tilled in with a hoe, spade, garden fork, or rotary tiller. Leaves, garden debris, weeds, grass clippings, and vegetative food scraps are examples of materials that can be easily tilled into the soil. To aid decomposition, materials should be shredded or chopped prior to layering.

The danger of sheet composting as a compost-making method is that carbon containing residues will call upon the nitrogen reserves of the soil for their decomposition. On the other hand, high-nitrogen materials may release their nitrogen too quickly in the wrong form. What may take a matter of weeks in a compost pile, given confined and thermophilic conditions, may take a full season in the soil.

To ensure adequate decomposition of organic materials before planting, it is best to do sheet composting in the fall. Spread a 2 to 4-inch layer of organic materials on the soil surface and till in. A rotary tiller will do the most thorough job of working materials into a vegetable garden. In a flower bed containing perennials and bulbs, it may be necessary to carefully work the organic material in with a garden fork or hoe.

Pit or Trench Composting

This is the simplest way for composting kitchen scraps. Dig a one-foot-deep hole. Chop and mix the food wastes into the soil then cover with at least 8 inches of additional soil. Depending on soil temperature, the supply of microorganisms in the soil and the content of the materials, decomposition will occur in one month to one year.

Food waste burial can be done randomly in unused areas of the garden or in an organized system. One system is to bury scraps in holes dug around the drip line of tress or shrubs. An English system, know as pit or trench composting, maintains a three season rotation or soil incorporation and growing. Sometimes this is also called Vertical composting.

Divide garden space into 3’ wide rows.

Year 1 – Dig a 1’ foot wide trench on the left hand 1/3 of the 3’ area (A). Add compostable materials in this trench and cover with soil when half an inch full. Leave the center 1’ section open for a path (B), and plant your crop in the remaining 1’ strip along the right side (C).


Year 2 – Section A is a path for year 2 allowing time for the Materials to break down. Plant your crop in section B. Section C, where you planted last year, becomes the compost trench.


Year 3 – Section A is now ready for planting. Section B is your trench for composting. Section C is in the second year of composting is it will be the path.

I can personally vouch for the trench method as I have been using it for several years now in my garden here in Pine Cove. It is a quick and easy way to compost small amounts without making a big pile in the yard to purchasing expensive containers. It can also be done year round, except for the times when there is too much snow on the ground or if the ground is frozen. I am planning to start doing this around my evergreens this winter. Give it a try. I think you will be happy with the improvement in your soil as well as the health of your plants.

One of these methods should suit just about everyone.