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. 42 - Just Grow Carrots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:08
Carrots are divas! Carrots can either be a complete failure or a rousing success and 90% of that depends on your soil composition. One little bump in the road and your carrot will do a quick swerve and you end up with wo…
Ep. 41 - 6 Tips for Beating the Heat in the Garden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:09
Working in the garden in the heat can not only be dangerous if you’re not careful, but it can also make it difficult to stay on track with what you’re doing. It can be a bit of a distraction, we don’t work nearly as effi…
Ep. 40 - Growing Garlic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:57
Are you having harvest envy over all the photos of gardeners and their beautiful garlic? Have no fear! This Garden Talk Tuesday we're talking all things garlic - hardneck vs. softneck, how to prep the bed, when to harves…
Ep. 39 - Gardening As Therapy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:43
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Ep. 38 - Planning the Fall Garden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:57
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Ep. 36 - Keeping a Garden Journal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:22
Whether you call it a garden planner, journal, notebook, or whatever, a garden journal can be as little or as much as you want it to be. There are some key items, though, that I would recommend every gardener keep in the…
Ep. 35 - U.S. Farm Subsidies Explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:43
One of my goals with this podcast is for us all to grow a deeper connection with where our food comes from, and that includes me. In an effort to shed light on some of the most common misconceptions we have about our foo…
Ep. 34 - Garden Talk Tuesday: Winter Squash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:35
Growing winter squash can be such fun because there are so many sizes, types, and varieties to choose from! No matter which you choose, Karin talks about how to plant and cultivate them, whether in the ground or in conta…
Ep. 33 - Farmers Are Not Getting Paid to Destroy Things [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:49
Have you heard the story? The one where the farmer destroys her own crop, just to get a check from some agency? Or the one where the dairy farm dumps all their milk when they should have donated it all? People make a lot…