The PA Resources Council Wednesday announced its Winter 2016 schedule of vermicomposting, backyard composting and rain barrel workshops to take place in January, February and March at several locations in Allegheny County.

Vermicomposting Workshops

-- January 23, from 10:30 a.m. – Noon, Ross Township Community Center

-- February 18, from 7 – 8:30 p.m., Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

-- March 17, from 6:30 – 8 p.m., Ann Jones Gerace Center (formerly CCI Center), South Side

Try indoor composting with red wiggler worms!  Build a complete vermiculture system to take home at the end of the workshop.  Worms produce a product (castings) that is considered an especially good soil amendment and nutrient source.  Learn how to house, feed, harvest and care for worms that produce a natural, homemade fertilizer for your lawn and garden.

Course fee includes 90 minutes of instruction plus a complete, ready-to-use vermiculture system.   Cost: $70 per person ($75 per couple) and includes one compost box with worms. Pre-registration is required.

Backyard Composting Workshops

-- February 27, from 10:30 a.m. – Noon, Ross Township Community Center

-- March 10, from 7 – 8:30 p.m., Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

-- More workshops have been scheduled for April 5, 16, May 14 and June 23.

Learn the benefits of backyard composting, including the overall process, methods for setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance and ways to use finished compost.

Course fee includes 90 minutes of instruction plus a FreeGarden EARTH Compost Bin, which features an 82-gallon capacity ideal for both urban and suburban settings. 

Cost: $70 per person ($75 per couple) and includes one composting bin.  Pre-registration is required.

Watershed Awareness/Rain Barrel Workshop

-- March 19, from 10:30 a.m. – Noon, Ross Township Community Center

-- April 14, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Phipps Garden Center

-- April 30, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Blueberry Hill Activity Center.

Discover how to harvest rainwater from your roof, store it in a barrel and use it in the landscape. Learn about problems associated with stormwater runoff, ways to conserve water in your home, and techniques to reduce your contribution to watershed pollution.

Course fee includes 90 minutes of instruction plus a FreeGarden RAIN 55-gallon easy-to-install rain barrel.

Cost:  $80 per person ($85 per couple) and includes one rain barrel.  Pre-registration is required.

To register for a PRC workshop, click on the “Pre-registration is required” links above, visit PRC’s Conservation Workshops webpage or call 412-488-7490 x226.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other educational opportunities, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from PRC (bottom of the page).

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1/18/2016