Since Fall is the perfect time to focus on education and acquiring new skills, the PA Resources Council is offering a full slate of adult education classes on backyard composting, vermicomposting and a rain barrel workshop at a variety of locations in Allegheny County in September and October and rain barrel workshops in Delaware County.

Backyard Composting

Not sure what to do with leftover kitchen scraps and yard debris?  Learn how to turn organic waste into a natural, homemade compost for lawns and gardens by attending one of the Backyard Composting Workshops—

-- September 9 - from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Ross Township Community Center

-- September 19 - from 6:30 – 8 p.m., North Park Rose Barn

-- September 20 - from 6:30 – 8 p.m., Ann Jones Gerace Center, South Side

-- September 27 - from 6:30 – 8 p.m., South Park Buffalo Inn

-- September 30 - from 10:30 a.m. – Noon, Lauri Ann West Community Center, O’Hara Twp.

This workshop thoroughly covers the importance and benefits of composting, including the overall process, methods for setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance and ways to use finished compost. 

Participants receive 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 a composting bin.  Click Here to pre-register which is required.

Vermicomposting Workshops

The vermicomposting workshops will be held—

-- October 4 - from 6:30 – 8 p.m., North Park Rose Barn

-- October 11 - from 6:30 – 8 p.m., South Park Buffalo Inn

-- October 14 - from 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Lauri Ann West Community Center, O’Hara Twp.

-- October 21 - from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Ross Township Community Center

-- October 25 - from 6:30 – 8 p.m., Ann Jones Gerace Center, South Side

Worm Your Way into Composting with PRC.  Would you like natural, homemade fertilizer for your lawn and garden in the spring?  Then expand your recycling efforts to include kitchen scraps by attending a Vermicomposting Workshop, and turn kitchen waste into a valuable resource.

Worms produce a product (castings) that is considered an especially good soil amendment and nutrient source.  If sheltered from the cold, the system can maintain production year round. 

Participants will receive a complete, ready-to-use vermiculture system.  Learn how to house, feed, harvest and care for your own worms!

Cost: $70 single ($75 couple) and includes one compost box with worms. Click Here to pre-register which is required.

Rain Barrel Workshop - Allegheny County

A Watershed Awareness and Rain Barrel Workshop will be held on September 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park, Point Breeze Allegheny County.

Participants will learn about problems associated with stormwater runoff, ways to conserve water in the home, and techniques to reduce one’s contribution to watershed pollution. 

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

Cost is $80 per person ($85 per couple) and includes one rain barrel.  Click Here to pre-register which is required.

Rain Barrel Workshops - Delaware County

Two Watershed Awareness and Rain Barrel Workshops will be held in Delaware County as part of the Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative Project--

-- September 28 - Glenolden Borough, Hall, 6:30.  Click Here to register

-- October 25 - Haverford Municipal Building, 6:30.  Click Here to register

Follow the links above to register for a PRC workshop, or visit PRC’s Programs webpage or call 412-488-7490 x226.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.  Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar.  Click Here to support their work.

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