Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week with our online composting workshop series!
Join our in house composting experts to learn everything you need to know about composting so that you can compost with confidence! There’s no better time to learn about composting than during International Compost Awareness Week, a week in which awareness of composting and its benefits is promoted.
Backyard Composting Webinar, Facebook Live Tuesday, May 5th, 2020, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm CST
Watch Live
Learn everything you need to know about starting a compost bin at home
- what is composting and why should we do it?
- compost bin selection and where to place your bins
- what can and cannot be composted
- how to maintain your bins (layering greens and browns, turning/aerating the pile/moisture content)
- composting in winter
- common problems and solutions
- when is the compost finished and ready to harvest?
- how to use your finished compost
School Composting Webinar, Zoom Wednesday, May 6th, 2020, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm CST
Register Here
Calling all teachers! Learn how to set up a successful compost system at your school! Registration is required.
Facebook Live Composting Q&A Monday, May 11th, 2:00 pm CST
Watch Live
Ask us live! We will be answering those frequently asked questions about composting. Send in your questions ahead of time too and we will answer them during the live session. Send your questions to compost@greenactioncentre.ca
I’m wondering if you would consider recording and uploading the video presentations in the future? I just discovered this site and was disappointed to see I had missed a lot of interesting presentations! It may be beneficial for new people like me to have access to past presentations. Unless you do upload them already, and I just missed that link somewhere?
Hi! Thanks for your interest! We have a few answers for you:
1) Not all of our past webinars are available or have been uploaded, but some are, and we are working to get more resources up all the time
2) We will be scheduling more in the future!
3) I will pass on your inquiry to my colleague who can check what we have available to email you
4) Here’s a compost Q&A we did on Facebook Live that is still available to be watched at your convenience! https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=635881573935554&ref=search
If you sign up for our presentation notification list, we will email you when a new presentation or webinar is scheduled and you can decide whether you would like to attend.
Have same queries as above. Helpful advice. Just starting..where are balcony compost bins for sale? Neighbours convinced that compost attracts vermin. Need help to combat this argument…or are they right? Live in town but high up. Will watch Tuesday workshop..it is on internet.right? Jean Palmer Winnipeg
Hi Jean. If composting is done properly (the pile doesn’t dry out, you add the correct ratio of greens to browns, and you turn or aerate the pile every 1-3 weeks), then it shouldn’t attract mice. The pile will be too warm and wet for mice and other rodents to want to spend time in there. Here’s the link to our backyard composting page. If you’re looking for a composter to use on your balcony, a tumbler bin would be a perfect option for you. Most hardware stores will sell them. They are on the pricey side, but it does allow you the opportunity to compost while in an apartment or condo. Another option is to try out vermicomposting. This is composting that is done indoors with a bin and red wriggler worms. Here is more information about it. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to call us at 204-925-3777, or email at compost@greenactioncentre.ca!
Is there anyone I can hire to look at my compost? It does not want to heat up. I have a small Wolseley garden with 2 bins and a rotating barrel. I’m set up for success but not getting there. Ive been at this for almost 2 years
Hi Patricia, thanks for the question. You’re not alone! It is a common problem folks come across when composting. Unfortunately we don’t make home visits and aren’t aware of anyone who does, but I can try to help you out with some advice. The three things you need to pay attention to in your compost pile are oxygen, water, and food. All of those critters in your pile doing the decomposition work need those three things to survive. Are you turning your compost pile at least once a month (but no more than once a week)? This provides an optimum amount of oxygen to the pile. In regards to moisture, the contents of the pile should feel like a damp wrung out sponge. If it’s drier than that you will need to add water and then mix it in. If your pile is dry then decomposition will slow down and things won’t heat up. If it’s too wet, add some browns and mix them in. In regards to food, those compost critters need a good balance of greens (food scraps) and browns (leaves, shredded paper, straw, etc.). Everytime you add greens to the compost pile, add two to three times the amount of browns. If you have too many browns then decomposition will slow right down. If you have more questions, send us an email at compost@greenactioncentre.ca and we can discuss things further.
Excellent summary.
Point out the temperature (as in time of year) tgat May speed up, or slow down, the process.
Plus, if someone has the space, allow the non-thermophilic (fungal) phase to really give a great ‘curing’ of the compost – an extra year will create high quality (pathogen free) soil amendment — especially if you want to use for more finicky indoor plants.