Composter’s Log - Houston We have a Problem

The arctic assault continues here in southern Ontario and the conditions in my winter worm composting bin have definitely not been getting any better! I have a hunch that today was the coldest day so far this winter - even just clearing the snow off my wife’s car this morning resulted in some frozen fingertips (even though I was wearing gloves).

There was no doubt I was going to need to check on the composter, and potentially perform some emergency thermo-resuscitation!

Later in the day when I opened up the bin (with difficulty) I saw that conditions inside were indeed pretty grim. Aside from a large mass of snow and ice on the inside of the lid, I could see that frost had spread all around the inside walls and throughout the upper layer of paper. The old door mat that sits on top of the composting mass was nearly rigid.

I can’t say I was too surprised when I wasn’t even able to find any zones with temperatures as high as 10 degrees C (50F). I knew some immediate action was needed if I expected to keep temperatures above freezing for much longer.

I decided a nice hot water bath and the addition of extra paper and cardboard insulation layers at the top would be my best bet for the time being. My dad has offered to help me secure a decent amount of horse manure (from a friend) which should definitely help with insulation and heating, but I won’t get ahold of it until sometime next week.

As mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been trying to avoid adding too much water during the winter (don’t want to create an anaerobic reservoir), but desperate times call for desperate measures! I’m hopeful that the hot water will be enough to kickstart the biological activity (and thus natural heating) within the mass. I’ve added a decent quantity of food waste lately so there should be enough ‘fuel for the fire’, but we shall see.

The winter composting saga continues…

Previous posts in this series:
Composter’s Log - The Iceman Cameth
Composter’s Log: Stardate 60492.2 - ‘Oh Winter, Where Art Thou?’
Composter’s Log: Stardate 60429.3 - Unusual Life Forms
Composter’s Log: Stardate 60393.6 - Winter Has Arrived
Composter’s Log: Stardate 60376.9 - RED ALERT!!
Composter’s Log - Stardate 60352.8
Winter Composting Extravaganza

Technorati Tags: compost, composting, winter composting, compost bin, worm composting, vermicomposting, worm bin, kitchen scraps

---

Note: The Winter Composting Extravaganza has moved to a new home. To catch all the latest winter composting action be sure to check out the Compost Guy Winter Composting Page.

Written by Bentley on January 25th, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on Waste Management.

Toronto Ecological Design Workshop

This sounds interesting:

This workshop at Toronto’s Design Exchange takes place on Friday, February 23, 2007. It will explore an emerging approach to bioregional planning that emphasizes the symbiosis between dense, ecologically sensitive, convivial development; sustainable commerce and governance; and connected, healthy green spaces.

Frameworks and case studies of both “eco-density” and multi-functional landscapes will be studied, providing a wide range of ecosystem services. The institutional and financial models that might enable what the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority calls the “Living City” will be explored.

Participants will have a chance to test these ideas using pattern languages (www.conservationeconomy.net) and “open space” dialogue, resulting in a vivid and compelling vision for the greater Toronto region as it adapts to a carbon constrained, post-fossil fuel world.

For more information, please visit www.dx.org/livingcity.html.

SOURCE: Canadian Architect

Technorati Tags: ecological design, toronto, living city, regional planning, green design, green construction, sustainability

Written by Bentley on January 25th, 2007 with no comments.
Read more articles on Announcements.