Free composting workshop scheduled in Collier Park

A free workshop on the basics of composting and the benefits it can provide will be offered in Collier Park, 626 E St., on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The Solana Center, in partnership with the County of San Diego, will host the event.

Attendees will participate in a hands-on demonstration and be eligible to win opportunity drawing prizes, such as a kitchen scrap collector and a compost thermometer.

Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic material such as leaves, grass, fruit, and vegetables. Using microbes, decomposers, or worms, food scraps are broken down into a rich soil amendment. Amending soil with compost and worm castings can conserve water, reduce the need for fertilizer, and increase plant vigor and pest resistance, according to the Solana Center.

Composting and vermicomposting—composting with worms—return valuable nutrients to the soil and divert organic waste from landfills, say workshop organizers.

The Solana Center, a nonprofit organization, says its mission is to empower students and adults through education and action to become environmental stewards in their communities.

To register for the workshop, visit solanacenter.org/freecompost-workshops or contact the Solana Center at 760-436-7986, ext. 222, or compost@solanacenter.org.