Master Composters #7: Diary of an Urban Soil

Photo by erix!, shared via Flickr. In this episode of Seattle's Master Composter Podcast, host Joshua McNichols translates soil science into a short piece of young adult fiction. And you thought soil science couldn't make you cry.

Photo by Shacker, shared via Flickr Mulches provide instant protection for bare soils. You can apply them in the fall, if you waited too long to plant your cover crop. This gets you quick protection from winter rains. In the summer, mulches protect soil life from the hot summer sun, and help retain valuable moisture. But it's important to pick the right mulch for the right kind of garden. We sit down with a Master Composter to discuss the different kinds of mulch available for purchase - or free in your own backyard.

You've amended your soil with compost. But all your soil's hard-won nutrition will wash out to sea unless you protect it from the winter rains. Join the Master Composters in the garden to learn how cover crops can protect your soil. Another way to let nature do the work for you.

Worm bins give you another way to manage food waste in the city. In this episode, we compare worm bins to their close relative, the green cone.

You can't put food waste in your compost bin. So where can you put it? In a green cone. Green Cones are the lowest maintenance way to deal with food scraps. We discuss how this system works, and where to put it.

 Photo by Cyron, shared via Flickr. What kind of soil is right for your garden? Join Master Composter Graham Golbuff in Seattle Tilth's demonstration garden. We'll dig some holes and learn what distinguishes different kinds of dirt.

Follow the Master Composters as they prepare yard waste for composting at Seattle Tilth's demonstration garden in Wallingford. You wil learn all the tricks to make make quick, high quality compost at home.  Find out what mix of materials you will need, and how to prepare and maintain a compost pile so it gets hot and decomposes fully. It’s fun! This is the first in a podcast series from the Master Composters. Throughout the series you will learn how to:  - Understand your soil  - Manage worm bins, green cones and other composters  - Control insects and other problems  - Mitigate the effects of global warming through organic practices Learn more about the Master Composters at Seattle Tilth's Web Site.