Offering encouragement to those not yet into the recycling world

The following correspondence is from a ‘compost enthusiast.’ I print it as an encouragement to others who are not yet into the world of recycling:

Aloha, Nick. Thank you for your comprehensive, specific food waste composting article. I have been food waste composting for 50 years or more and found your article right on point.

I, too, have an Earth Machine, which is the composting device Recycle Hawaii gives to those people who attend their composting class. It is the Cadillac of composting devices and would probably cost more than $100 if purchased on-island.

My wife has a container on the kitchen counter and all food waste goes into it, including egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags, napkins, all peelings, spoiled food, bones, left over nonusable food, etc. When the counter container is full, I take it out to the Earth Machine and dump it in. I keep a pile of dry grass or other dry brown yard waste to cover the food waste.

When the Earth Machine is full, I let it cure until everything is broken down so not recognizable except the bones and egg shells. I lift off the Earth Machine and place the compost in the garden and work it into the soil lightly. Then, plant and watch your food plants jump out of the ground.

Compost works great. I do not use chemical fertilizers. I grow organically and rely on compost for my plant nutrient needs. This way, I can grow much of the food we eat.

Zero waste is the preferred method for handling our waste stream on Hawaii Island. Food waste should not be in the waste stream going to the landfill. Home composting of food waste is the least expensive, most beneficial and easiest way to handle food waste and keep it out of the waste stream. And also get the benefit of having a ready supply of compost to grow your own food, another goal of Hawaii Island.

So, I encourage everyone to take the Recycle Hawaii composting class and get an Earth Machine. Mahalo for your composting article. — B.E.

I have been composting for a while now and am relatively successful. However, once in a while, my compost pile becomes stinky. What can I do about this smell; I assume it’s bad, maybe not?

A compost pile that emits a foul odor is too wet and is poorly aerated. Under these conditions, oxygen will be at low levels which, in turn, will encourage the growth of anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria thrive in low amounts of oxygen and produce foul smelling gaseous compounds.

First, turn the pile in order to increase the air supply and dry it out. Dry materials such as sawdust, wood chips, small cut twigs and dry leaves can be added to aid drainage, absorb moisture and create air spaces. If you are watering the compost pile, cut back.

Let me add this comment: A composting bin is worthwhile to have. But note composting still can be done in open piles or enclosed by some type of fencing.

Storing vegetables after harvest

Garden vegetables are, of course, best consumed soon after they are picked. That’s not always possible though, so proper storage is important.

First, start by harvesting early in the morning. The produce will be crisper and cooler; store at the proper temperature and relative humidity to maintain quality and nutritive value. With a few exceptions, fresh vegetables are best kept in the refrigerator. Store garlic, onions, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and potatoes at room temperature, 65–70 degrees, and away from direct sunlight.

To prepare for storage, discard any parts showing decay and remove tops from root crops. In the crisper, do not place ripe fruit together with vegetables. Many fruits give off ethylene gas as a ripening plant growth regulator. This can cause yellowing of green vegetables, sprouting of potatoes and a bitter taste in carrots.

Hilo resident Nick Sakovich is a professor emeritus of the University of California. He has worked in the field of agriculture for 30 years. Email your questions to Sakovich at askthegarden guy@earthlink.net. You also can visit his website at www.gardenguyhawaii.com.