Making and Using Compost at Home

Thursday, May 2, 2019

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Skyland United Methodist Church-Fellowship Hall

1984 Hendersonville Road

Asheville, NC  28803

Presenter: Phil Roudebush, Extension Master Gardener^SM Volunteer, Instructor in Eco-Gardening Program at the NC Arboretum

Decomposition is at least as old as the soil itself. The modern practice of composting is little more that speeding up and intensifying natural processes of biological decomposition of organic wastes. This presentation will focus on how gardeners and other individuals can use simple methods to compost yard, garden and food materials. Composting will be defined and the “Six Rules of Rot” will be discussed including the importance of a critical mass of materials, influence of particle size, carbon and nitrogen sources (compost ingredients), moisture, oxygen and active versus passive compost methods. Worm composting (vermiculture) of kitchen scraps will also be highlighted. The benefits of using compost in the garden, use of compost teas and compost trouble shooting will be explained.