Re: compost TV demo

**y*@sfo.com**

I'd boil it down to what goes in (a gallon of fresh kitchen waste, 
plus lots of browns) and what comes out (rich brown compost, less 
than half the volume of inputs), and what to do with the compost (why 
do it rather than sending it all to a landfill or greenwaste 
collection). Depending on how much time you have, you can also bring 
some garden waste that you chop up.

For simplicity, I'd just use a clear plastic bin that has 6-12 inches 
of partly done compost to show that you bury the kitchen waste and/or 
cover it with browns, water it all, and voila, no odors or vermin. 
Within a few days it's unrecognizable. (Also bring a watering can.) 
You can do all the messy part of the demo in a single bin, then cover 
it and carry it away.

I don't pay a lot of attention to layering. I think if you make the 
setup look too technical and complicated, people may be intimidated. 
I'd look at it as an opportunity to solve a problem -- get rid of 
stinky garbage (by dumping it in the compost where the microherd 
immediately go to work on it, rather than letting it sit in a garbage 
can for a week where it gets moldy and slimy), reduce your garbage 
fees (if your town assesses fees based on number of cans), and make a 
valuable garden amendment for free.

Tanya Kucak

At 7:22 AM -0400 10/24/09, jo ellen meyers sharp wrote:
>On a local morning news program this week, I'm doing a how-to-compost
>demo. I'm trying to figure out a way to demonstrate this in a studio
>setting.
>
>I've tried to find a fruit crate or something similar, but have not
>been able to locate one. Most produce people reuse these crates.
>
>I've thought about cutting the side out of a clear plastic bin or to
>use a cardboard box to show how to layer in the various compost
>elements...leaves, grass, dirt, etc. I thought this would work to
>show building the layers. Personally, I'm not a big fan of composting
>drums and would prefer not to demonstrate that, although I'll have
>one there as a prop.
>
>Does anyone have any other ideas they'd be willing to share?
>
>jems
>--
>Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
>The Hoosier Gardener
>Director Garden Writers Association
>Writer * Editor * Speaker * Garden Consultant
>Co-author,The Indiana Gardener's Guide
>Editor, Indiana Living Green magazine
>P.O. Box 20310, Indianapolis, IN 46220
>E-mail: hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net
>http://www.hoosiergardener.com
>http://www.IndianaLivingGreen.com
>E-mail: editor@IndianaLivingGreen.com
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