Compost is defined in the dictionary as “a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land.” Some people call it black gold because adding to your garden can produce dark, crumbly soil that is like gold for your plants.
Courtesy of EPA.gov
Composting requires three ingredients. The first is brown material from your yard like leaves, twigs and pinecones as well as newspapers, paper egg cartons, straw and so on. Green material, or food waste, is the second. For example, vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, or tea bags. The third is moisture — water goes a long way.
A new type of composter has hit the market: electric composters. These are simple indoor recycling machines that are plugged into the wall. The heat, grind and aerate food scraps to speed up the process, creating compost in a very short period. There are many types, some that sit on the counter and some that look like trash bins in your kitchen. One downside is that these machines can be pricey, ranging from $300 to $700.
Photo by Tomsguide.com
Composting Service
The last and perhaps the easiest method may be to drop all your food items into a bucket that you leave on your front porch. A service provider picks up the bucket and composts the material. You pay a monthly fee and after a bit you get compost delivered to your door. Prices are $22 a month for biweekly pickups.
The City of Albuquerque’s Sustainability Office is taking on Food Waste.Are you interested in diverting food scraps from the trash and turning it into compost to feed local soils? Please consider joining one of our community compost co-op sites.
Below are workshop options in April and early May.
Option 1: Take the compost science and hands-on learning classes.
Hands-on learning: Friday, April 25, 2-4pm at Barelas Senior Center’s community compost site. Note: We will plan more hands-on opportunities this summer.
Option 2: Learning Series at Barelas Senior Center.
Tuesday, April 22, 10:30-11:30am, Introduction to compost science and hands-on learning. Participants can choose a free plant!
AND
Tuesday, April 29, 10:30am-noon, Compost science, indoors. Register here.
AND
Tuesday, May 6, 10:30-11:30am, Hands-on learning.
Please help us spread the word about this opportunity to get involved in building healthy soils and community resilience. If you have questions, please email swest@cabq.gov.
All good things start with a solid plan. Developing a landscape plan saves you not only time and money, but it is more likely to result in a beautiful yard. A few generous local landscape architects donated their time and put together some landscape design templates of a typical front yard for our 505Outside subscribers.
Above is a look at an example landscape template for a south facing front yard. This design brings all those local native plants you see in the foothills into your landscape. It’s full of a mix of oaks, sages and grasses. Take a look and get inspired to recreate this in your own yard.
The Water Authority’s desert friendly xeriscape conversion incentive rebate has been around since the early ’90s and is still going strong. Millions of square feet of thirsty lawns have been converted to healthy xeriscapes that save billions of gallons of water. Although the rebate application process has a few more steps than our other rebates, our experts are here to help you along way. Remember to contact our xeriscape inspector, Carl Christensen, cwchristensen@abcwua.org, before you stop caring for your lawn or start tearing it up.
Water Authority residential customers who convert their landscapes to desert friendly xeriscape and use drip irrigation can qualify for a $3 per square foot rebate.
The rebate area of your new landscape must have 50 percent coverage (at maturity) of qualifying low- to medium-water-use plants, and the soil between and beneath all plants must be covered with at least three inches of mulch (organic mulch, gravel, etc.).
If you are interested in participating, please don’t start removal your grass until you have applied online to the program and received an official notice to proceed.
Several conditions must be met to qualify for the rebate. Projects that have been started or completed are not eligible for the incentive, and other terms and conditions apply. After submitting your application online, your project will be screened to ensure it meets minimum requirements and an inspection will be scheduled. The visit may take up to three weeks or more to schedule during the busiest part of the season. Water Authority conservation rebate requirements are subject to change without notice. Rebates are limited to available funds.
Does Your Landscape Meet the Requirements?
Do you have an operating spray irrigation system on your site?
Do you have grass turf on your site?
If you answered yes to the above questions, then go to Step 1 below.
Have more questions? Call 842-9287 and choose option 4 to learn more or check out our xeriscape conversion web page for rebate requirements and more.
Step 1: Develop A Landscape Plan
Draw a simple landscape plan or submit a plan designed by a professional. Use the approved desert friendly plants from our Xeriscaping Guide plant list. List each plant (using the scientific name) and rebate allowance points on the application.
Step 2: Start Your Online Application
Click here to set up your online application. You will need to log in or create a Water Conservation Portal account.
Step 3: Schedule Your Initial Inspection
Be sure you have set up and filled out your online application. Then call (505) 289-3026 to schedule the initial inspection at your property. Initial inspections occur between 9:00am-2:30pm Monday through Friday. Please allow three weeks for availability.
Step 4: Proceed With Your Project
Once your online application has been approved, you may begin your project. Funding will be reserved for the anticipated amount of your rebate, and you will have six months to complete your project. If you need more than six months, you may apply for a project extension provided funds are still available.
Step 5: Schedule Your Final Inspection After Completing the Project
Have hard copies of material receipts or a contractor’s final paid invoice available for the final inspection. Following final inspection and application approval, the Water Authority will apply the rebate credit to your water bill. Your rebate should appear on your water bill one to two billing cycles after your form is processed.
Smoketree is a small accent tree grown for its whimsical cloudlike misty spring blooms and its year-round dark purple color. It is not native to New Mexico but does well in just about any soil. Locate in full sun and cover with 3-4 inches of shredded wood chip mulch. Water to a depth of 24 inches twice a month once established when hot and monthly throughout the year. This tree is great for patios and looks nice when planted with grey green plants like artemisia or sages.
This evergreen shrub loves extreme heat and sun. It looks beautiful mass planted. This species is male, therefore you’ll have fewer dropped seed heads. Leathery green leaves on the stems keep the plant looking full year-round. It’s long-lived, low maintenance and low water use, making it a win as an evergreen groundcover for the hot summer.
