Tucson Organic Gardeners Provides Composting Info and More

http://www.tucsonorganicgardeners.org/compostinginformation.htm

Tucson Organic Gardeners provides lectures, demonstrations, and informative documents about composting and all kinds of other cool gardening information. Check 'em out!

Composting in the Desert

From Technicians for Sustainability
http://tfssolar.com/1767/composting-in-the-desert/

Composting in the Desert: (and plant sale)
Oct. 24, 2009, time TBA

St Marks Presbyterian Church View Larger Map 3809 E 3rd Street The garden is actually on 2nd Street, so park in the lot off 2nd.

Tucson Organic Gardeners is explaining all you need to know to get started in composting, to maintain your compost, use your compost and even help your neighbors. Bring all your questions too. They'll have a plant sale at the same time.

Cost: $10 TOG members $15 non-members

Call TOGs info line, 670-9158 and leave a message if you will be attending

Edible Desert Plants and a cool blog to boot...

http://tucsoncitizen.com/wryheat/2009/08/01/edible-desert-plants-barrel-cactus-fruit/

I'm always interested in learning more about edible plants, particularly those native to our desert southwest. If you know any good sources of information, can tell some good stories, or have a recipe or two, chime in!

(I know I'm neglecting this Blog but I want to keep throwing out some tidbits of information that support my theme until I can "sustain" the Blog in a more substantial way. I don't even know who reads this stuff, so it's hard to stay motivated to write about it when I'm so busy practicing LivingInSyn. If there's anyone out there, send me a peep... or contribute to the dialogue... a readership is mighty motivating.)

Questions about energy-efficient heater/air conditioning system

I had to have my air conditioner serviced last week; I'd gone as far as I could poking around in there without causing potential damage, so I called for help. As we settled our business at the end of the service, we chatted about newer, far more efficient models of heaters/air conditioners. They are pricey but there are often rebates available, and the service guy (what's the right job title? I dunno) said they pay for themselves very quickly. I want to quantify "very." So here's the third in a series of questions that don't yet have answers. Feedback, anecdotes and suggestions welcome!

Questions about water- and energy-efficient washers and dryers

Another friend is looking into purchasing a water-and energy-efficient washer and dryer set. She's conflicted about getting rid of a perfectly good washer and dryer in the interests of efficiency. Is it worth it? How much energy and water savings result from the exchange? What are the downsides? Are there any unexpected benefits?

I'll post this in the interest of gaining feedback, and like the com-"post" I'll revisit the blog when I have some answers.

Questions about desert composting

My friend just started composting at her new place... I'm going to add her questions to my own blog, since composting is my "thing" and see if I can address them, answering her inquiries and maybe informing others as well.

Questions Specific to Composting in the Desert/ Tucson:
1. Has anyone figured out if this is really worthwhile, considering that I am having to water my compost pile with precious ground water every other day or so?
2. How do I know if I am keeping the pile moist enough? In general, how do I know if I am tending my compost pile correctly for maximum results?
3. Any tricks for keeping the pile moist enough?
4. What kinds of bugs and critters are normal to expect around a compost pile? I know I should be on the lookout for neighborhood cats, but is there anything else I should worry about? I've got lots of ants and other miscellaneous little bugs. I also noticed some weird chrysalises (sp?) They were about 1 1/2" in diameter, white with a red tip on one end, curled into a circle and looked nasty-- some kind of beetle or something? Hopefully not cockroaches? Ew.

If any readers have suggestions, feel free to chime in!

Stay tuned for more information!

In the meantime, I addressed composting in a previous post: Compost Happens. There are some links to composting in that post, though I haven't checked them for link rot. I'll surely find more information in the quest for answers to these questions.