Focal Point Friday: Composting Basics

Focal Point Friday: Composting Basics

Author: Karin Velez April 21, 2023 Duration: 10:21

This is the time of year when we not only start to have a lot of yard waste and garden waste but we generally have food waste coming out of our kitchens year round, so now is the perfect time to put all that waste to good use. The average American produces about 1,600 pounds (726 kg) of garbage a year and approximately 75% of this garbage is organic material. That means 1200 lbs of the 1600 pounds of waste produced could be composted. Per person. We don’t want that organic material going to the landfills and causing methane gases to add to the atmosphere, so let’s talk about the basic ingredients of a compost pile.

Resources:

Ep. 80 - Creating and Managing a Compost Pile

Ep. 81 - Talking Compost with Stan "The Compost Man"Slaughter

Ep. 82 - Compost Systems for Home Gardeners

Ep. 106 - Introduction to Vermicomposting (Worm Farming!)

What is Vermicompost and Why Should We Care?


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Ever find yourself staring at a seed packet or a struggling tomato plant, wondering what it really needs to thrive? Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening digs into those questions, moving beyond folklore and guesswork. Host Karin Velez believes that understanding the science behind gardening-the "why" as much as the "how"-empowers you to become a more confident and successful grower. Each episode feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend, one who sifts through research and practical experience to offer clear, actionable advice. You’ll hear detailed discussions on everything from soil health and specific plant varieties to managing pests and planning your garden layout effectively. This podcast is designed for anyone with a patch of dirt or a few containers, whether you’ve been cultivating for decades or are just planting your first herb. Karin’s approach demystifies the process of growing your own food, making it accessible and deeply rewarding. The ultimate aim is simple but profound: to equip you with the reliable knowledge needed to harvest something delicious from your own space, season after season. Tune in for a grounded, thoughtful take on home gardening that celebrates both the triumphs and the learning moments inherent in getting your hands dirty.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 333

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 98 - Becoming A Little More Self Reliant with Ashley Constance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:08
Just because you live in town or don’t actually want to do all the things doesn’t mean you can’t learn to do just a little bit more for yourself and your family in this modern globally connected world. It doesn’t matter…
Ep. 97 - Modern Homesteading: It's Not What You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:16
When you think of homesteading, what comes to mind? Ma and Pa Ingles out on the prairie trying to build a home and raise a family with their own resources on a large plot of dusty land? Maybe you think of the early pictu…
Ep. 96 - Growing Green Beans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:08
I have a confession. When I was a teenager and young adult, I hated fresh green beans. I was used to eating them out of a can and, to me, fresh green beans were “fuzzy”. I definitely was tuned to the smooth, soft, alread…
Ep. 95 - Grow a Row to Donate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:29
In most places in the U.S. there are multiple agencies that work with other agencies to get excess food into the hands of those who can best use it. Whether they work directly with food banks, social service organization…
Ep. 94 - Growing Sweet Potatoes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:38
Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite things to eat and, subsequently, to grow. I can eat sweet potatoes baked, fried, mashed, chipped, like tater tots, as a pie, you name it, I’ll eat them. And it only takes a few plant…
Ep. 93 - The Stories Behind Plants with Marion Whitehead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:46
On Tuesday, we talked all about preserving our culture and our heritage through our food, which includes the plants we grow. Today, I’m joined by Marion Whitehead who is just as passionate about plants and their stories…
Ep. 92 - Preserving Our Culture Through Food [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:39
Do you have a favorite food from childhood? Do you have a favorite recipe your grandmother passed down to you from her grandmother? The history of our food is important to preserving our cultures and our heritage. Many t…
Ep. 91 -Transitioning Your Plants into Your Garden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:38
I know many of you have already been planting your gardens and many more have transitioned from spring plants into warmer weather summer crops. But I also know there are plenty of you that haven’t started planting yet at…