Barrels of Fun: An Introduction to Rain & Compost Barrels.
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Transcript of Barrels of Fun: An Introduction to Rain & Compost Barrels.
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
Spigot to drain
Overflow valve with hose connection to direct water away from house foundation
55-60 gallon barrel
Bricks to elevate and level the barrel
5 Barrel System
• 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
Mosquito Prevention
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 sitehttp://fyi.uwex.edu/rainbarrels/about/
UW-Extension Horticulture Rain Barrel Publicationhttp://hort.uwex.edu/articles/rain-barrels
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Rain Barrel Websitehttp://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
Plans can be found at:http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/cabinet/composting/Can%20Composter.pdf
Can Composter
How to Build Your Own Composter
Plans can be found at:http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/
cabinet/composting/Barrel%20Composter.pdf
Barrel Composter
Materials that can be CompostedMaterial 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 inchesProvides 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 rottedUse “hot” compost to kill E.coli or salmonella
Pine cones & needles
Carbon 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 woodHigh in carbon, need extra nitrogen to compost
Weeds Nitrogen Annual weeds already gone to seed can be compostedLet plants with rhizomes or stolons die first
Materials that should Never be Used
• Ash, charcoal or coal• Bird droppings• Cat feces or litter• Dog droppings• Diseased plants
• Fish scraps• Lime• Meat and fat• Milk and cheese• Grease
Hot vs Cold Composting
Composting Resources
UW-Milwaukee/UW-ExtensionSolid & Hazardous Waste Education Center
http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/publications.cfm
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Compostinghttp://dnr.wi.gov/topic/recycling/compost.html