Summer 08 Newsletter

Read another story.... Markets - keep recycling Sue's view Top Tips for Waste Reduction Waste Check Ups Tips from Dr. Compost Which Compost System Should I Use? --------------- Summer 2008 Spring 2008 Autumn 2008 Christmas 2007 Winter 2007

Which system?

Food added to the landfill produces leachate and harmful greenhouse gases as it breaks down. Composting your food scraps is much kinder to the environment, and benefits your garden.

To see which composting system is likely to suit you, answer these easy questions.

The one you answer yes to the most times will probably suit you best.

Do you:

• Have a reasonably small amount of food scraps?
• Have limited outdoor space?
• Have kids?
• Want powerful vermicast (worm poo) to fertilise your garden or potplants?

Try a Worm Farm

Do you:

• Have a garden you can dig in regularly (to bury a bucket full of kitchen scraps)?
• Want to attract more worms into your garden?
• Dislike having to take your food scraps outside every day?
• Go away for long periods, or want a system that doesn’t need regular attention?

Try Bokashi Buckets

Do you:

• Have access to a good mix of materials (manure, straw, lawn clippings etc)?
• Have lots of garden waste?
• Want to add lots of organic material to your garden?
• Own a garden fork, and want to use it regularly?

Try Hot Composting (maybe in combination with a worm farm or bokashi bucket for your kitchen scraps).

Bokashi buckets can be purchased from Trading Post in Wanaka or Queenstown Cleaning Supplies.

Council-subsidised worm farms and worms can be purchased from Central Wormworx in Cromwell (03) 445 0263. Most hardware stores sell worm farms or you can make your own out of an old bath, wooden crate, plastic basin, bin or tub.