Tag Archives: compost

Static Pile Composting Methods – Epi-3712

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There are many ways to make compost but they fall into three primary methods with many overlapping on some levels.  But from a macro level almost all compost can be defined as being one of three methods… High Turn Thermophilic Composting – Regular turns, fast finish, what most people make Static Pile Composting – No turns, long duration, super high microbe product Macrofauna Composting – Using animals like worms, black solider fly etc. or even chickens/ducks Again there is over lap, for instance we intentionally add worms to Bioractors after the very short initial thermo cycle ends, but it is … Continue reading →

Compost, Cover and Char – Epi-3604

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Today we look at building long term and regenrative soils using my three pronged approach of… Build Increase Hold ` To accomplish this we employ three super stars of soil health. Bioactive Compost – The Builder Cover Crops and Mulch – The Increaser Biochar – The Keeper ` While all three of these play a role in each area, they each are total rock stars of their niche.  By combining them and implementing them we can build soils that will grow more than you ever though you could and last longer then you ever believed possible. If you want the … Continue reading →

Compost as the Heart of a Homestead – Epi-3598

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Today we discuss a variety of composting methods and making composting the core of your homestead activities. Often people say what is the best method. Well that as always is an it depends. Bioreactor composting is my gold standard but it takes a year to make and a certain volume of materials as well. There are other methods and they all have valid results. In fact it is often a great idea to use multiple composts in making teas, extracts and slurries along with other application methods. In the end though composting can be the core of daily life on … Continue reading →

A Duck Farmer & A Science Geek Talk Soil – Epi-3520

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Today Matt Powers (citizen scientist) and Jack Spirko (Redneck Hippy Duck Farmer) discuss what they have both learned about soil, composting, gardening and regenerative agriculture over the past decade. Tune in for a lot of fun and a fire hose of knowledge. We went into so many areas today including… How Matt and Jack had different paths to the same conclusions The reason to use true science in understanding soils Different plants and their unique attributes Composting methods and the importance of testing compost The role of animals in regenerative agriculture How natural soil systems mirror aquatic systems The difference … Continue reading →

10 Methods of Composting – Epi-3476

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Today we discuss a variety of composting methods. Often people say what is the best method. Well that as always is an it depends. Bioreactor composting is my gold standard but it takes a year to make and a certain volume of materials as well. There are other methods and they all have valid results. In fact it is often a great idea to use multiple composts in making teas, extracts and slurries along with other application methods. Today we cover these 10 composting methods… Why there really isn’t a “best” way to compost but there is a “best result” … Continue reading →

Compost, Cover Crops & Biochar – Epi-3429

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Today we look at the trifecta of soil fertility for the home gardener, homesteader and permaculturist.  They are bioreactor compost, cover cropping and biochar.  With these three components you can grow almost anything and drive your inputs to almost nothing over a short time. With these three simple to do but somewhat complex to understand tactics in your tool chest you can solve so many problems with both disease and pests and grow more then you ever thought you could.  These three tactics work together to form a natural and biological solution to common issues in the garden and on … Continue reading →

Episode-788- Trevor Van Hemert on Composting

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Trevor Van Hemert runs Pedal to Petal a company that picks up food scraps from all over the city of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Pedal To Petal is a permaculture-based collective of bicycle loving food security activists who are taking direct action to reduce carbon emissions and landfill waste and to feed the soil and the city’s hungry. They do all their pick up and transport via the use of bicycles with zero use of any fossil fuels. The finished compost is used to grow food in the same city where the components are collected and the compost is … Continue reading →

Episode-468- Call In Friday 7-2-10

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It is Friday so you know what that means another round of your calls with questions, comments and suggestions.  Remember our call in shows are not live, to get you call on the air dial 866-65-THINK and leave your comment or questions in 2 minutes  or less and you might get onto our next show. Additionally I give priority to calls that come in the morning of these shows and I always send out reminders to our FaceBook Fan Page, so you may want to connect with us there. Join me today as we take your calls asking… How religious … Continue reading →

Episode-240- Audience Questions for 7-20-09

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It’s Monday and time for another episode were I answer audience questions.  To day I discuss topics such as composting, debt, a credit card follow up, city vs country living, a total SHTF and more. Tune in Today as I Answer… If debt is bad what about student loan debt? Are credit cards OK if you always pay your full balance? What are the advantages/disadvantages of living in the city, small towns, suburbs, remotely, etc.? Is a total breakdown possible?  Is it probable?  What could cause it? Is cooking an important skill to learn for SHTF and daily survival? What … Continue reading →

Episode-216- Survival Podcast Audience Questions 6-09-09

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We are continuing a series of listener questions today.   Since it was done from the “mobile studio” there are no call ins or anything.  These are all questions sent in by email, asked in comments, asked on the survival forum, etc. I would like to continue doing this type of show often so if you want to have a question answered send me an email to jack@thesurvivalpodcast.com with the subject line “question for Jack” Tune in to hear me answer these questions today… What is an Earthship and what advantages do they offer? Is is safe to use a … Continue reading →