2024-03-30 Composting at Home 101 at Miami Beach Regional Library

1. COMPOSTING
101
Ellen Book,
UF/IFAS Extension
Miami-Dade County
Master Gardener
Link to slide presentation:
TINYURL.com/MBCompost
s

2. Ellen Book, Branch Manager Pinecrest Branch Library
booke@mdpls.org www.mdpls.org

3. So first.
A few
features….

4. Choose your library card!
2021

14. The collection
contains:
•Over 70 magazines
•317,000 digital
audiobooks for all
ages*
•20,000 Braille Books
for all ages
MIAMI-DADE AND
MONROE
COUNTIES

15. Unable to visit the library in person due to
disabilities or caregiving? Items are mailed to
your home for free, including return postage.

22. Registration opened
Friday, 3/1/2024
mdpls.org/adultlearning

30. 7 day
check
out for
full
music
albums

32. TV SHOWS & MOVIES 3-DAY CHECKOUT

33. Acs select classes from MasterClass with your MDPLS
card!

36. Edwin Villasmil : hands-on
environmental craft programs
Wed., April 17, 2024 @4pm
What a Wonderful World

37. Edwin Villasmil : hands-on
environmental craft programs
Wed., June 12, 2024 @4pm
Plastic Soup

38. Thursday, February 29, 2024 @ 3:30pm

40. A GOOD
BOOK
HYBRID
BOOKCLUB
APRIL 4, 2024
@6PM

41. 2nd & 3rd
Saturdays
10:30am

42. JOURNEY TO YOUR INNER
CHILD UNLOCKING MEMORIES & UNVEILING
HIDDEN RULES
First and third Fridays @ 10am-11:30am

43. How NOT to Get Hacked
Cyber Security
1st Weds. @ 6:30pm

45. Starts on
Saturdays, Feb 3, 2023 – April 13, 2024

46. COMPOSTING
Saturday, April 18, 2024 @ 3pm
Sunset Branch Library

47. May 11 Photographer Al Diaz
Reviews his Miami Herald Photos
June 8 Royal Poinciana Festival
April 13 Roger Hammer, Everglades Naturalist

49. JOURNALING FOR WELLNESS
Five part series returns on
Monday 5/06/2024 @ 11am – 12:30pm

50. Pinecrest
Library’s
Quinceanera
Cake

51. Miami Beach Programs

54. Future Key
Biscayne Branch

55. COMPOSTING
101
Ellen Book,
Master Gardener
UF/IFAS Extension
Miami-Dade County
Master Gardener
Link to slide presentation:
TINYURL.com/MBComposts

61. Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences - IFAS
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/miami-dade/

63. 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

64. Electronic Data Info System

65. Everyday Information Source

66. Everyday Information Source

67. https://tinyurl.com/MiamiVeggies

70. Was NOT me

71. Kitchen food scraps. Photo: Tia Silvasy, UF/IFAS

72. Too much
too wet
too long…
Anaerobic bacteria
kills worms
UF/IFAS

74. A Tumbler Bin Composter
UF/IFAS

79. Adjustable size allows you
to set it up “skinny” for low
capacity or make it large
enough to hold 246 gallons
of materials.
36.5″ in height

80. HOW TO SET UP A GEOBIN

81. THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR LOCATING
YOUR COMPOSTER IS CONVENIENCE.
What Is The Best Location For A Compost Bin In
Your Yard – Sun or Shade?

82. Sheet Composting Top-dressing on
the soil surface like a garden lasagna
right onto a future growing space.
Trench Composting - composting
directly in the soil
Cold Bin Composting Fill your
compost bin halfway with browns and
bury kitchen scraps
Bokashi Bucket anaerobic bacteria
(grass-like inoculated bran, rice, dried
leaves sprinkled over scraps). 10
days to ferment & “pickle” waste,
forming an acidic organic matter that
must be dug into the soil or added to
a compost pile.
TYPES OF COMPOSTING

84. .

86. GREENs = nitroGen
BROWNs = carBon
NitroGen = Protein
CarBon = Energy
From: https://small-farm-permaculture-and-
sustainable-living.com/how-build-compost-pile/

87. THE RECIPE

90. Can I compost this?
Material Can I Compost? Comment
Banana skins Yes
Bird cage "waste" Yes
Bone meal Yes
Bread Yes
Cereal Yes
Citrus (e.g., oranges,
grapefruit, lemons, tangerines)
Yes
Green/nitrogen - must cut in
half or quarter before
composting; mix with browns
& add 6-inch layer of browns
on top
Coffee grounds (with paper
filter)
Yes Green/nitrogen
Corn cobs Yes
Cornmeal Yes
Cottonseed meal Yes
Crop waste Yes
Egg shells Yes Adds calcium

91. Citrus
green/nitrogen
cut in half or quarter before composting
mix with browns &
add a 6-inch layer of browns on top

95. Attribution to: KidsGardening: A Kids’ Guide to Messing Around in the Dirt by Kevin Raftery

99. Photo www.bobvila.com

100. From : https://www.emnz.com/article/microbial-imbalances-in-the-soil

101. “The secret world beneath our feet is mind-blowing –
and the key to our planet’s future : Don’t dismiss soil:
its unknowable wonders could ensure the survival of our
species”
by George Monbiot in The Guardian, 5/7/2022
I

107. AS PILE TEMPERATURES  & 
TIME IS NEEDED FOR VARIOUS
MICROORGANISMS TO COLONIZE

108. Left: (1 year old) Last year’s material all garden stuff, grass & leaves,
kitchen: banana peels veg. trimmings from the pile’s top.
Middle: (2 years old) bottom of this year’s pile put into bags
Right: (3 years old) Finished product from the bags to be used in the
garden & greenhouse this year
GUESS WHERE THIS
COMPOST WAS MADE?

109. Smaller surface areas
decompose faster

111. Attribution to: KidsGardening: A Kids’ Guide to Messing Around in the Dirt by Kevin Raftery

112. Aeration
keeps
microbes
alive.
Anerobic
microbes
STINK!

113. The free GeoBin

114. Compost
Crank Aerator

116. Check for moisture when
turning the compost.
The consistency should
feel like a wrung-out sponge.
UF/IFAS

117. Smaller bits
decompose
faster
BIGGER
pieces need
more time

118. Unfinished compost
may stress plants, causing
yellowing or stalling growth

119. Compost maturity test with radishes

120. Heat cooks most weeds.
For hot composting turn when pile
temperature drops below 100°F or
if the pile is more than 150°F

121. How to Turn a Backyard Compost Pile (youtube.com)

122. HEALTHY VEGGIES AND PLANTS
START WITH HEALTHY SOIL!
UF/IFAS Leon County Extension

123. Five “Pests”
in a Compost Pile

126. NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT…

127. Vermi-Composting Definitions
• Vermiculture – Work farming process of
culturing worms to decompose organic food
waste, turning it into nutrient rich material
• Casting – Worm waste, digested food
• Omnivores – Animals that eat plants and
animals
• Hermaphrodites – Animals with male and
female sex organs.
http://clipart-library.com/

128. Red Wigglers

129. Contains
• 5Xs the available nitrogen
• 7Xs the available potash
• 50% more calcium
than 6” of good top soil
• Water soluble nutrient immediately available for
plant intake.
Will not burn root system
unlike fresh raw manures
Red Wigglers
UF/IFAS

130. v

132. 1) I'm having problems with
my compost system and I'm not
sure of the cause. What should
I do first?
a. Add water
b. Add browns/carbon rich
material
c. Turn the compost

133. 1) I'm having problems with
my compost system and I'm not
sure of the cause. What should
I do first?
a. Add water
b. Add browns/carbon rich
material
c. Turn the compost

134. 2) My compost smells bad and
I turned it yesterday. What can I
do?
a. Add bulky browns/carbon-rich
material
b. Add greens/nitrogen-rich
material
c. Add water

135. 2) My compost smells bad and
I turned it yesterday. What can I
do?
a. Add bulky browns/carbon-rich
material
b. Add greens/nitrogen-rich
material
c. Add water

136. 3) My pile won't heat up, but I have
the proper volume of material
(approximately 1 cubic yard), enough
oxygen (aeration), and a good balance
of carbon to nitrogen (2/3 to 1/3). What
can I do?
a. Add lime
b. Add moisture
c. Add potting soil
d. Add clean wood ash
e. All of the above

137. 3) My pile won't heat up, but I have
the proper volume of material
(approximately 1 cubic yard),
enough oxygen (aeration), and a
good balance of carbon to
nitrogen (approximately 30:1).
What can I do?
b. Add moisture

138. 4) What can I do about flies in my
compost?
a. Spray with pesticide
b. Create a separate pile for kitchen
scraps
c. No need to act

139. 4) What can I do about flies in
my compost?
a. Spray with pesticide
b. Create a separate pile for
kitchen scraps
c. No need to act

140. 5) How can I compost in my
high-rise condominium or
apartment?
a. With a compost bin
b. With worms
c. With the in-sink disposal

141. 5) How can I compost in my
high-rise condominium or
apartment?
a. With a compost bin
b. With worms
c. With the in-sink disposal

142. 6) What is the optimal size of a
composting system?
a. The bigger, the better
b. Long and narrow
c. About 3 feet high by 3 feet long
by 3 feet wide

143. 6) What is the optimal size of a
composting system?
a. The bigger, the better
b. Long and narrow
c. About 3 feet high by 3 feet long
by 3 feet wide

144. 7) What can be used as a catalyst or
inoculant to get my compost pile
started?
a. Finished compost
b. Large pieces left over from screening
compost
c. Small amount of organic top soil from
the yard
d. Commercially prepared inoculant
e. All of the above

145. 7) What can be used as a catalyst or
inoculant to get my compost pile
started?
a. Finished compost
b. Large pieces left over from screening
compost
c. Small amount of organic top soil from
the yard
d. Commercially prepared inoculant
e. All of the above

146. 8) How do I get rid of fire ants
in my compost pile?
a. Leave the pile alone
b. Water and turn the pile
c. Spray the pile with pesticide

147. 8) How do I get rid of fire ants
in my compost pile?
a. Leave the pile alone
b. Water and turn the pile
c. Spray the pile with pesticide

148. 9) When is the compost
finished?
a. After 6-8 weeks
b. When the compost appears dark,
crumbly, and looks and smells like
soil
c. When the pile temperature
exceeds 131 degrees F

149. 9) When is the compost
finished?
a. After 6-8 weeks
b. When the compost appears dark,
crumbly, and looks and smells like
soil
c. When the pile temperature
exceeds 131 degrees F

150. 10) What determines how long it takes for
organic material to become useful
compost?
a. Size of materials place into composting
system
b. Carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio of materials
place into composting system
c. Level of management/attention paid to the
composting process
d. Intended use for finished compost
e. All of the above

151. 10) What determines how long it takes for
organic material to become useful
compost?
a. Size of materials place into composting
system
b. Carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio of materials
place into composting system
c. Level of management/attention paid to the
composting process
d. Intended use for finished compost
e. All of the above

152. 11) Must I cover the compost bin?
a. Yes
b. No

153. 11) Must I cover the compost bin?
a. Yes
b. No

154. 12) What items may harm my worms if
added to my vermi-composting system?
a. Alcohol or vinegar
b. Coffee grinds
c. Oranges or other citrus
d. All of the above

155. 12) What items may harm my worms if
added to my vermi-composting system?
a. Alcohol or vinegar
b. Coffee grinds
c. Oranges or other citrus
d. All of the above

156. 13) It I can't compost it, what can I do with
it?
a. Reduce
b. Reuse
c. Recycle
d. All of the above

157. 13) It I can't compost it, what can I do with
it?
a. Reduce
b. Reuse
c. Recycle
d. All of the above

158. 14) Must I use a manufactured composting
bin?
a. Yes
b. No

159. 14) Must I use a manufactured composting
bin?
a. Yes
b. No

160. 15) What is the lowest-cost backyard
composting system?
a. Pile, trench, and sheet composting
b. Manufactured bins
c. Self-made bins

161. 15) What is the lowest-cost backyard
composting system?
a. Pile, trench, and sheet composting
b. Manufactured bins
c. Self-made bins

162. 16) What best accelerates the
decomposition of oak leaves?
a. Water the pile
b. Turn the pile twice a week
c. Shred leaves before adding to the compost
d. All of the above

163. 16) What best accelerates the
decomposition of oak leaves?
a. Water the pile
b. Turn the pile twice a week
c. Shred leaves before adding to the compost
d. All of the above

164. 17) How can I accelerate the compost
decomposition process?
a. Active management of the compost system
b. Building a bigger pile
c. Adding a compost starter/inoculant/catalyst
d. None of the above

165. 17) How can I accelerate the compost
decomposition process?
a. Active management of the compost system
b. Building a bigger pile
c. Adding a compost starter/inoculant/catalyst
d. None of the above

166. 18) How much time does it take to make
compost?
a. One hour per day
b. One hour per week
c. One hour per month
d. As little or as much time as I want

167. 18) How much time does it take to make
compost?
a. One hour per day
b. One hour per week
c. One hour per month
d. As little or as much time as I want

168. 19) Hot composting and vermi-composting
are compatible?
a. True
b. False

169. 19) Hot composting and vermi-composting
are compatible?
a. True
b. False

170. 20) How does composting affect soil pH?
a. Makes soils more acidic
b. Makes soils more basic
c. Has a buffering effect

171. 20) How does composting affect soil pH?
a. Makes soils more acidic
b. Makes soils more basic
c. Has a buffering effect

173. 7701 SW 76 Ave, Miami, FL 33143

174. KITCHEN SCRAP COLLECTION
FOR FERTILE EARTH WORM
FARM

178. For
Miami
Beach
residents
ONLY
For
Miami
Beach
residents
ONLY

179. LANDFILL SITES

181. Evaluation
& Voucher
The voucher is
valid for six
months and
redeemable while
supplies last
https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_72SYZa2Z8Q3zjgy

182. Miami Beach
residents ONLY
The voucher is
valid for six months
and redeemable
while supplies last.
https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8u1Z3jkrOR77whM

183. DOME COMPOSTER – AVAILABLE TO ALL
MIAMI-DADE RESIDENTS, while supplies
last
ONLY FOR MIAMI BEACH RESIDENTS
(MAY CHOOSE EITHER FROM ABOVE OR BELOW)

184. In a few months a
will be emailed to you

185. Evaluation
& Voucher
Link to slide presentation:
TINYURL.com/MBCompost
s The Miami-Dade voucher will
be accepted for six months
while supplies last
The link to the evaluation that
leads to the voucher will be up
until
Monday at 8:00am.
Vasquez,Laura A
lavasquez@ufl.edu
Urban Horticulture Agent and
Master Gardener Coordinator