Solana Center to present Encinitas Master Composter Course

A Master Composter Course will be held in Encinitas starting Saturday. Jan. 16.

This 5-week course will meet at the beautiful San Diego Botanic Garden every Saturday, from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. from Jan. 16 - Feb. 13, 2016. Course Fee: $50.

Presented by Solana Center, the Master Composter course provides training in the art and science of composting.

Learn how to:

•Minimize your carbon footprint by keeping food and yard waste out of the landfill, helping reduce harmful methane gas emissions.

•Use this “waste” to create a nutrient rich amendment for your garden. Compost use reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

•Reduce water use and increase water retention. Compost increases your soil’s water holding capacity by up to 7 times and retains water for up to 7 days.

•Work with a team to build, maintain and troubleshoot a traditional compost pile. Course will also cover composting with worms (vermicomposting) and compost fermentation (Bokashi).

Course includes lectures, demonstrations, and a field trip. Teams will work together to build, maintain, and troubleshoot their own traditional and vermicompost compost bins. Master Composter certification requires attendance at four out of five classes, as well as 30 volunteer hours of related community service.

Encinitas residents receive preferential registration up until Jan. 6, 2016. Registration will be open to non-residents as of Jan. 7, 2016.

Course will be held at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive Encinitas, CA 92024 This course if funded by the City of Encinitas. To register visit: https://www.solanacenter.org/master-composter-course