Advising Services
  

We provide advising materials being processed
or help develop new composting operations.

For background information on composting, visit the page
Technical information - Compost and compost tea.

Monitoring of Temperature

         We do on-site measurement of temperatures in a compost pile. 

Management of temperature is important to ensure
the temperature of the pile is in the optimum temperature range,
to prevent fires from occurring within a pile and to determine when a pile is ready for use.
        

Monitoring of Moisture

Moisture content is calculated from samples collected from
within different locations of the pile and dried at our lab.

Moisture control is important to ensure microbes necessary for composting
can survive and disease-suppressive microorganisms colonize the curing materials.
 

Quality Assurance

We conduct trials to ensure a compost pile is stable and ready to use.
We also use the Solvita Test for compost maturity.

For further information please see the Solvita website at www.solvita.com

Compost Test: How to Perform it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD8O_TRN6bY
Plant Damage by Immature Composts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0I3D0gbj8s
 

Compost Tea

We can help design a recipe for growing compost tea
that is specific for your needs.

For background information on compost tea, visit the page
Technical information - Compost and compost tea.

Presentations at workshops

We offer training and information for a variety of groups.
 
Past presentations at industry meetings:

     "Soil Biology to Improve Plant Health"
                    North Okanagan Organic Association (NOOA), Armstrong BC, 2009
     "Compost and Potting Mixes"
                    Kootenay Local Agriculture Society (KLAS), Castlegar BC, 2009
      "Compost Tea for Site Rehabilitation"
                    Terra Erosion, Nelson BC, 2007
      "Natural Suppression of Plant Diseases: A Research Update"
                    Canadian International Turfgrass Conference, Vancouver BC, 2006
     "Methods for Preparation of High Quality Compost & Tea for Horticulture Production"
                    Kootenay Organic Growers Society (KOGS), Castlegar BC, 2006
      "Compost Tea: Voodoo Magic or Science Based ?"
                    North Okanagan Organics Association (NOOA), Armstrong BC, 2006
     "Compost Tea: Theory and Field Trials"
                    Kwantlen University College, Langley BC, 2004
     "Microbes at Work: Stimulating Natural Disease Suppression"
                    Certified Organic Associations of B.C. (COABC), Annual Meeting, Naramata, 2004
     "Looking Ahead: Stimulating Natural Suppression of Plant  Diseases"
                    Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (PNW-ISA),
                    Coeur d'Alene Idaho, 2004
     "Composted Products for Soiless Mixes and Their Impact on Root Diseases"
                    Forestry Nursery Association of B.C. (FNABC), Vancouver BC, 1999
     "The Preparation and Use of Compost in Nurseries for Container Media and Field Production"
                    B.C. Nursery Growers Short Course, Vancouver BC, 1999 

Copies of the presentations are found on the page About us - Past conferences.