“Creating well-balanced compost is very easy in the fall,” according to PRC Education Program Coordinator Nancy Martin. “As trees shed leaves there’s an abundance of both decaying and fresh leaves, which each add value to compost.”
“It’s easy to create compost at home, and one of the many benefits of composting is improving garden soil,” says Martin. “It’s vital that organic matter be returned to the soil and not tied up in a plastic bag and sent to the landfill, and composting makes this possible.”
“Anything that used to be alive and no longer is will break down and decompose,” Martin says. “Only certain things should go in a backyard bin because we don’t want to attract rodents or have odor problems, which is why we encourage people to take our class before establishing a compost system at home.”
In addition to leaves, pinecones and straw can be placed in the compost bin along with vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells and other plant-based material, explains Martin.
During a one-hour online session, individuals learn the benefits of backyard composting, including the overall process, methods for setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance and ways to use finished compost.
The course fee of $70 includes instruction plus a FreeGarden EARTH compost bin, which features an 82-gallon capacity ideal for both urban and suburban settings.
Individuals living in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and surrounding areas can learn online and then make arrangements to pick up their 82-gallon compost bins at PRC’s eastern office in Delaware County and western office in Allegheny County.
Registration is currently open for Backyard Composting webinars taking place online:
-- Wednesday, November 3, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
-- Thursday, November 18, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Click Here to register or send an email to: nancym@prc.org.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook. Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar. Click Here to support their work.
PRC is Pennsylvania’s oldest grassroots environmental organization founded in 1939. PRC has worked to protect resources for future generations through environmental education, recycling, waste diversion programs, anti-litter campaigns and other initiatives.
[Posted: October 27, 2021] PA Environment Digest
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