= 84 — Friday, June 26. 1998 — North Shore News Ca np life from left Tips to improve your home-grown fertilizer IT’S gardening season — and green thumbs across the North Shore are looking for ways to help their gardens bloom bigger and brighter than ever. Using a nutrient-rich compost on your soil is won- dertul for your plants, and it’s easier to create than you think. Here are some backyard composting tips from the North Shore Reeveling Program: M@ The smaller the better: reducing the size of materials that you put in your com- poster can speed up the decomposition process. Reduce materials to six centimetres (two inches). Tie more surface area that is exposed for bacteria to invade, .the quicker the decomporition. You can chop yard waste witha shovel or hand pruner. Run over leaves with a jawn- mower or put the material through a shredder. & Sizing it up: a compost bin around one cubic metre works well when filled’ to retain the heat generated dur- ‘ing, decomposition. Compost piles that are maller than a regular house- “hold garbage can ‘are often <2 984-9711 Marketing Coerdinator ; A REAL DEAL FOR A SMART SHOPPER aia "© Convenient central Lonsdale unable to maintain this heat, while piles larger than one cubic metre do nor allow enough air to reach the microbes ar the centre of the material. @ Keep it moist: water is an essential component of con- posting. . A composter functions best when the materials are about as moist as a wrung: our sponge and are provided with many air passages. A lid keeps out excess water and rodents. @ Let it breathe: in the Lower Mainland, lack of oxygen is probably the most common problem experienced in back- yard composting. Regular turning or mixing of compost materials will help air reach the centre of your composter. Poke holes with a broom handle or using an aerator tool also works to get air into the materials. @ Time and temperature: the more heat a compost gener- ates the faster it decomposes. Using an equal blend of brown (dried leaves, straw, sawdust) and green (plant trimmings, grass clippings) matcrials, reducing the size of materials to be composted and providing adequate mois- ture and air will result in a hor, fast compost. @ Repelling rodents: to keep sting create Vers rodents our of your com: poster, use an enclosed con- rainer with openings no Jarg- er than 2 quarter inch, a secure lid and a base chat allows drainage. Home-built bins can be made rodent-resistant by lin- ing them with hardware cloth. Call the North Shore Reeveling Prograny (984- 9730) for information on obraining a rodent-resistant composter. B Do-itvourself! construc: tion plans for a rodent-resis- tant compost bin are available by calling the GVRD at 436- 6800. No backyard? No problem: Worm composting is an indoor alternative to Uack- yard composting thar allows vou To compost your organic food waste. For information on how to set up a worm bin in your home, call the composi hor: line at 736-2250. @ Compost ta: a nutritious drink for vour plants. Tie a litre of compos: in a cloth bag. Soak the bag overnight in a garbage can full of water. After the bag has steeped, the “compost tea” will provide a nutrient rich drink for your plants. For more information about composting, Call the North Shore — Recycling Program at 984-9730. (> Prudential | BETTY ESCOTT Sussex Realty POPULAR BISTRO IN CENTRAL LONSDALE Trendy decor, delicious meals and dessens. variety coffees, licensed beverages and good conversation draws customers trom nearby banks, businesses and area resicents. Easy two person operation. PICTURE YOURSELF HERE » Nice new one bedroom suite! * Curl up with the cozy gas fireplace! * Bring you: cat or dog! ¢ All appliances -including washer/dryer! * Enjoy your computer inte:net nook-up! * Experience the pleasure of looking into the courtyard * $230,000 FIVE BEDROOM THREE LEVEL FAMILY TOWNHOME Poputar and affardable in the Capilano College area. Nicely updated kitchen, baths and carpet, Enjoy the quiet private fenced patio, 3 bedrooms upstairs and down is suitable for a teen or stu- dent. Pets welcome. Premier St. 4 BDRM « PATIO / FAMILY TOWNHOME Great 4 bedroom, 2 level end unit in Cedarbrooke Gardens. Bright, spacious accom- modation with 2.5 baths. Wood or gas fireplace, insuite-laundry, garden patio, outdoor pool, clubhouse, lots of storage & parking. Near Larson Elementary School in Lower Delbrook. HOME SUITE HOME, 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHS This is like have a home! Spacious large rooms accommodate any kind of fumiture. 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