Piedmont Master Gardeners teach composting basics at free workshop

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - The Piedmont Master Gardeners hosted a free workshop to teach gardeners about the ins and outs of composting.

Those attending the workshop had a variety of composting experience. The Master Gardeners each gave tips and tricks on how to get started.

One of the speakers was Master Gardener Sheila McDowell. She says composting doesn’t have to be complicated.

“You have to know nothing and do nothing to compost. It happens on its own,” McDowell said.

The Master Gardeners say one of the hardest parts about composting is getting started. They reminded people that compost is a plant’s preferred food source and is better than conventional fertilizers or the hard clay soil in Virginia.

When food waste is not composted, it goes to a landfill where it produces greenhouse gases like methane.

McDowell says composting is a win-win.

“There’s an advantage to the soil and the plants for composting and a disadvantage to our health by sending it to a landfill,” she said.

The Master Gardeners hope workshops like these push people in the right direction and open their minds to promote sustainability.

“We all have space constraints. We have time constraints. There are rodents. There are smells. There are neighbors. There are HOA rules and so we host these workshops to help people manage through the constraints,” McDowell said.

If you don’t want to make your own composter at home, you can also bring your compostable items to McIntire Recycling Center where it will be composted.

You can visit the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ website for more information about their upcoming events.

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