Transcript Barrel`s of Fun PowerPoint – Rain and Compost

Barrels of Fun:
An Introduction to Rain & Compost Barrels
Definition of a Rain Barrel
• A rain barrel can be any large container designed to
collect rain water
• Typically, rain barrels are placed at the bottom of
downspouts in order to collect rain as it runs off of a
roof
• For every inch of rain that falls on 1,000 square feet
of roof, about 600 gallons of water can be collected
Benefits of a Rain Barrel
• Provide soft, slight acid water that is typically
preferable to city water (which may be chlorinated)
or well water (which may have excessive mineral
content) for irrigating woody & herbaceous
ornamentals and lawns
• Reduce the potential for basement flooding by
directing water away from house foundations
• Reduces erosion & prevents storm water pollution of
lakes and waterways
Watering Precautions
• Due to possible leaching of chemicals and
microorganisms (e.g. bacteria and fungi) from roofing
materials, rain barrel water is not recommended for
use on vegetables or for human consumption
• Rain barrels are not recommended for homes with
tar or gravel roofs or roofs made of asbestos or
treated cedar shakes shingles
Watering Precautions
• Rutgers, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
• Have the water tested for: zinc, lead, chromium,
arsenic, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, fecal coliform,
and E. coli
• Once the water is confirmed to be safe use a drip
hose to water vegetable plants
• Always be sure to rinse vegetables with potable
water prior to eating or preserving
Parts of a Rain Barrel
Opening with screen
to prevent debris &
insects from entering
the barrel
Overflow valve
with hose
connection to
direct water away
from house
foundation
55-60 gallon
barrel
Spigot to drain
Bricks to elevate
and level the
barrel
5 Barrel System
Mosquito Prevention
• Install a screen on the opening to prevent breeding
• Add a couple tablespoons of vegetable cooking oil,
oil will float to the top and suffocate the mosquito
larvae
• Purchase mosquito dunks available at many
hardware and garden centers
• Empty the rain barrel every week
Rutgers Rain Barrels Publication
Algae Solutions
• Keep barrel out of
direct sunlight
• Paint the barrel dark
colors
• If algae is a problem
• Empty barrel
• Wash barrel with ¾ cup
bleach to one gallon
water
• Rinse well after
bleaching and dispose
of bleach water
General Maintenance
• Regularly clean the screen on tops of your rain barrel
to ensure that no organic material is blocking
drainage
• In the fall, disconnect and drain your barrel to avoid
freezing and cracking in winter
• Remember to reconnect your rain spout to direct
water away from house foundation when the rain
barrel is not in use
Rain Barrel Resources
UW-Extension Rain Barrel & Garden FYI site
http://fyi.uwex.edu/rainbarrels/about/
UW-Extension Horticulture Rain Barrel Publication
http://hort.uwex.edu/articles/rain-barrels
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Rain Barrel Website
http://water.rutgers.edu/Stormwater_Management/rainbarrels.html
Home Composting Definition
Composting is the process that uses
microorganisms, carbon, and nitrogen
food, moisture and oxygen to convert
plant materials such as grass clippings,
leaves, and other organic materials to
compost, a more useable organic soil
amendment.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Home Composting
Benefits of Using Compost
• Provides low levels of macro (nitrogen, phosphorus, &
potassium) and trace nutrients essential for plant growth
• Increases soil organic matter that improves soil water
holding capacity and soil physical properties that aid in
greater plant root penetration
• Increases the soil biodiversity (microbes and other small
creatures) that help plants obtain nutrients
• Maintains a balance to help prevent the outbreaks of
disease causing organisms
How to Build Your Own Composter
Can Composter
Plans can be found at:
http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/cabinet
/composting/Can%20Composter.pdf
How to Build Your Own Composter
Barrel Composter
Plans can be found at:
http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/cabinet/
composting/Barrel%20Composter.pdf
Materials that can be Composted
Material
Contributes
Comment
Algae, lake
Nitrogen
Good nutrient source
Cardboard
Carbon
Recommend shredding into small pieces
Coffee grounds
Nitrogen
Use coffee filters too for carbon source
Cornstalks, cobs
Carbon
Best if chopped and mixed with nitrogen source
Eggshells
Other
May take several years to fully break down
Grass clipping
N (green)
C (brown)
Combine with other materials to avoid matting
Fruit scraps
Nitrogen
Chop up rinds to speed up decomposition
Hair
Nitrogen
Add moisture and mix into pile
Junk Mail
Carbon
Shred into small pieces, avoid glossy pages
Newspaper
Carbon
Shred into small pieces, avoid glossy pages
Oak leaves
Carbon
Leaves are acidic, composting counteracts acidity
Sod
Nitrogen
Break up clumps, distribute grass side down
Materials to be Cautious With
Material
Contributes
Comments
Ashes, wood
Other
Use no more than 18 inches
Provides potassium, but can raise pH too high
Dryer lint
Nitrogen
Use lint from natural fiber (cotton), no synthetics
Hay
Carbon
Use caution if pesticides used on hay crop
Use “hot” compost if weed seeds are present
Manure
Nitrogen
Use only from plant eater, that is partial to well rotted
Use “hot” compost to kill E.coli or salmonella
Pine cones & Carbon
needles
Recommend shredding and adding in small amounts
(no more than 10% of regular compost pile)
Sawdust &
Shaving
Carbon
Do not use sawdust from pressure treated wood
High in carbon, need extra nitrogen to compost
Weeds
Nitrogen
Annual weeds already gone to seed can be composted
Let plants with rhizomes or stolons die first
Materials that should Never be Used
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Ash, charcoal or coal
Bird droppings
Cat feces or litter
Dog droppings
Diseased plants
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Fish scraps
Lime
Meat and fat
Milk and cheese
Grease
Hot vs Cold Composting
Composting Resources
UW-Milwaukee/UW-Extension
Solid & Hazardous Waste Education Center
http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/publications.cfm
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Composting
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/recycling/compost.html
Thank you!
Dan Marzu
Agricultural Development Educator
Lincoln & Marathon Counties
[email protected]
715-539-1078