Well structured soil and proper irrigation are vital components to growing healthy vegetable plants.  UCCE’s Soil and Water Management of Vegetable Gardens brochure provides detailed information in a compact format.

Learn how to improve soil quality, when to fertilize vegetable plants, and how to efficiently irrigate your garden.

This free, downloadable resource can be found by clicking here for English and here for Spanish.

Due to a family emergency the March 26th Saturday at the Farm event has been cancelled.  “Beefriending Your Local Bees” presented by Anna Howell, MS has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Join expert composter Lorraine Walters on Saturday, September 4 and learn about composting, vermicompost and mulch to improve the health of your soil.  Healthy soil can increase production, reduce the likelihood of insects and disease, reduce water needs and more.

This class will be held at Community Roots Garden. Scheduled topics include:

• How to make compost from common materials such as food scraps, grass clippings, and leaves.
• Faster composting methods that take more attention as well as the slower, easier methods.
• How to make extra high-grade compost using redworms (called vermicomposting).
• How to use compost to build your soil.
• How to use mulch to build your soil, and the difference between compost and mulch.

For further information please contact Community Roots Garden at 805/616-2326, info@communityrootsgarden.org or www.communityrootsgarden.org.

Composting expert, Lorraine Walters

The County of Ventura Integrated Waste Management Division website is a great resource for the community.  At the site you will find information about recycling, reusing and reducing waste.  It is the spot to find out about local hazardous waste collection dates and locations. You will also find links to other programs and websites for more information and opportunities to reduce your carbon footprint – for both individuals and businesses.

On Saturday March 27, 2010 the County of Ventura Integrated Waste Management Division will be holding their 2010 Truckload Event. They will be selling backyard compost bins and rain harvesting barrels at a greatly reduced cost. Check the flyer for details.

Composting and rain harvesting are both great ways to improve water quality and water quantity.

Improving water quality is an important step towards building and maintaining sustainable natural ecosystems. We can all help reach water quality improvement goals by making small changes in our behavior.  Small changes multiplied by many people make a big difference!

What  is urban runoff?  Urban runoff is the water that washes away all the chemicals we use, which then flows into storm drains and creeks and then out to the ocean. These chemicals include: home pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning products, oil and many other products.  Urban runoff is a significant contributor to poor water quality.

This rainy season is a good time to think about our contributions to urban runoff and to make some small changes. Here are some good places to start:

• look into ways to reduce home pesticide use
• learn about composting to improve soil quality and possibly reduce the need for fertilizers
• find safer alternatives for cleaning products.
• keep mechanical equipment in good repair.

Our office has great resources to help further improve water quality.

A collection of "green sheets" designed to help people make small changes to improve water quality

Management Practices to Portect Water Quality: A Manual for Greenhouses and Nurseries

Orchard Water Quality Management

Please contact our office if you would like further information.