http://knoxvillerecycles.org 20 Years of Serving Knoxville Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:04:04 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 http://knoxvillerecycles.org/composting/comment-page-1/#comment-1861 Kevin Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:57:39 +0000 http://knoxvillerecycles.org/?page_id=334#comment-1861 Add to that is the smell as those materials putrefy. This isn't as big a problem if your compost spot is not in a regularly frequented location. If you have a large maggot population, they will digest those materials before they putrefy. Add to that is the smell as those materials putrefy. This isn’t as big a problem if your compost spot is not in a regularly frequented location. If you have a large maggot population, they will digest those materials before they putrefy.

]]> http://knoxvillerecycles.org/composting/comment-page-1/#comment-1860 Kevin Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:51:06 +0000 http://knoxvillerecycles.org/?page_id=334#comment-1860 Black Soldier Fly Larvae (type of maggot) are great and can digest dairy, meat, and oils. Good or bad, they can reduce the mass of material by 80+%. This is good if you are just trying to get rid of waste, less good if you want a large quantity of quality compost. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (type of maggot) are great and can digest dairy, meat, and oils. Good or bad, they can reduce the mass of material by 80+%. This is good if you are just trying to get rid of waste, less good if you want a large quantity of quality compost.

]]> http://knoxvillerecycles.org/composting/comment-page-1/#comment-1692 Education Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:05:42 +0000 http://knoxvillerecycles.org/?page_id=334#comment-1692 Mainly because dairy, meats, and grease attract rodents, and no one wants rats! Mainly because dairy, meats, and grease attract rodents, and no one wants rats!

]]> http://knoxvillerecycles.org/composting/comment-page-1/#comment-1645 Education Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:28:42 +0000 http://knoxvillerecycles.org/?page_id=334#comment-1645 Zack, it’s natural for it to slow down considerably in the winter. Be sure to keep it covered so it doesn’t get soaked with all the extra rain. I’m not sure what kind of bin or pile you have going, but a black plastic works really well. It’ll keep the pile warmer – the cold is why it has slowed down so much. If you want a natural insulator, straw works well to keep the heat in. Also keep adding material. The bigger the pile is, the higher the temperature will get. Other than that, just wait it out until warmer weather. Zack, it’s natural for it to slow down considerably in the winter. Be sure to keep it covered so it doesn’t get soaked with all the extra rain.
I’m not sure what kind of bin or pile you have going, but a black plastic works really well. It’ll keep the pile warmer – the cold is why it has slowed down so much. If you want a natural insulator, straw works well to keep the heat in.
Also keep adding material. The bigger the pile is, the higher the temperature will get.
Other than that, just wait it out until warmer weather.

]]> http://knoxvillerecycles.org/composting/comment-page-1/#comment-1611 Zach Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:14:59 +0000 http://knoxvillerecycles.org/?page_id=334#comment-1611 Well, looks like I'm the only one with composting questions. Could you explain why most lists keep things like meat, greese, and dairy out of compost piles? Well, looks like I’m the only one with composting questions. Could you explain why most lists keep things like meat, greese, and dairy out of compost piles?

]]> http://knoxvillerecycles.org/composting/comment-page-1/#comment-1456 Education Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:57:11 +0000 http://knoxvillerecycles.org/?page_id=334#comment-1456 Zach, maggots are part of the decomposition process. They should be fine in the compost. The only serious issues arise with livestock. Try to keep pets and other animals away from the maggots in your pile. Zach, maggots are part of the decomposition process. They should be fine in the compost. The only serious issues arise with livestock. Try to keep pets and other animals away from the maggots in your pile.

]]> http://knoxvillerecycles.org/composting/comment-page-1/#comment-1425 Zach Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:00:16 +0000 http://knoxvillerecycles.org/?page_id=334#comment-1425 Based on the various sources of information I've read, I can't decide if I should allow maggots to inhabit my compost or not. Some people say they are helpful, breaking down compost fast (which I've seen first hand), while others say that maggots are more of a nuisance. Do you have any insight on this matter? Based on the various sources of information I’ve read, I can’t decide if I should allow maggots to inhabit my compost or not. Some people say they are helpful, breaking down compost fast (which I’ve seen first hand), while others say that maggots are more of a nuisance. Do you have any insight on this matter?

]]> http://knoxvillerecycles.org/composting/comment-page-1/#comment-418 Zach Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:24:03 +0000 http://knoxvillerecycles.org/?page_id=334#comment-418 Any tips for keeping the compost functioning during the winter? Mine seems to have slowed down. Any tips for keeping the compost functioning during the winter? Mine seems to have slowed down.

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