A beginner’s garden composting and vermicomposting (worm composting) workshop will be held on Saturday, March 8.

Some of what we toss into the landfill can be composted and added to our gardens. Junk mail, kitchen scraps and yard trimmings can all go into a compost pile. This workshop will demonstrate that compost is odorless, uses little space and diverts materials from the landfill.

Compost is one of nature’s best mulches and soil amendments, and it doesn’t cost a cent. Using compost improves soil structure, texture, aeration and increases the soil’s water-holding capacity. Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils retain water. Adding compost improves soil fertility and stimulates root development in plants. The organic matter provided in compost provides food for microorganisms, which keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus will be produced naturally by the feeding of microorganisms, so few if any soil amendments will need to be added.

The workshop will be held at the MOA center (164 Kamehameha Ave., Kahului) from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The cost is $5. Pre-registration is required. Call 573-3911.

Composting workshops are held on the second Saturday of each month, and are partially funded by the County of Maui Solid Waste Division Recycling Section. ?