Composting Reduces Water Waste!
By Tami Reece Master Gardener
Compost is a mixture of carbon-rich dry brown materials and nitrogen-rich green plant materials. Composting is the process in which organic materials are decomposed through a series of biological events. The resulting small volume of material, what we call compost, will continue to slowly decompose.
One of the many benefits of adding compost to soil is that the nutrients in the compost are released slowly, making them available to plants over a long period of time; thereby reducing the need for additional soil conditioners.
The benefits of using compost are numerous. Composting retains soil moisture, thus limiting the amount of irrigation needed and minimizing runoff. Compost can also lighten heavy clay soils and improve the water holding capacity of sandy soils, helping you to further manage your water resources. Well composted soil supports beneficial microorganisms, encourages root growth and balances soil pH. Composted soil also moderates soil temperatures and can protect plants from freezing conditions. Additionally, when used as mulch, compost can help suppress weeds! Long term benefits of compost involve the recycling of organic materials that would otherwise be sent to landfills.
Another form of composting is worm composting, or vermiculture. Vermiculture uses worms to recycle food scraps and other organic material to develop a compost that can be used to amend an existing garden.
If you would like to learn more about composting or vermicomposting please join the UCCE Master Gardeners at our Advice to Grow by Workshop on Saturday April 19, 2014, at 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo in the Garden of the Seven Sisters. Along with a lively presentation about composting, there will be Wriggley Wranch stacking worm bins available for purchase for $120.00. The worm bins include worms and all the information you need to set up your vermicomposting at home! Please bring a hat, camping chair and water as seating is limited.
Save the date: Wednesday, April 23 at 1:30 pm, there will be a one hour fruit tree thinning demonstration of deciduous fruit trees (not citrus or avocados). It will include information on why it is important to thin fruit and how and when to do it for all types of fruiting trees. The demonstration will be at 2156 Sierra way, San Luis Obispo.