Fauquier Master Gardeners to lead Dec. 2 talk on “Composting and Water Conservation Basics”

Northern Fauquier Community Park, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Master Gardeners, and the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District will lead a presentation on “Composting and Water Conservation Basics” on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. at Marshall Schoolhouse #18,  7592 John Marshall Highway, Marshall (next to the Recycle Center).

While it has been long known that composting yard and garden waste can provide nutrients to your garden, how composting works and thus maximizing its benefit requires an understanding of some basic science. There are several factors that are important for beneficial composting, such as location, aeration, moisture, etc. 

It is also known that simply piling garden waste is not the best or easiest way to compost. Likewise, there are many advantages to installing rain barrels that significantly reduce runoff into the watershed and provide a ready source of free water.  Rain barrels provide a good source of water at a location on your property that does not have an outside water source.  Simple rain barrels are inexpensive, or for a few dollars more, decorative units with built-in fountains can grace the more public areas of your home’s landscape. 

A program at 10 a.m. on December 2, 2017 by Master Gardener Tom Baughn and the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District will provide all the information a homeowner needs on these important topics.  The presentation will be held at Schoolhouse #18 in Marshall, VA (next to the Collection Site on Hwy. 55).

The program is free and open to the public, rain or shine. It will last 60 minutes.  It is recommended to register and arrive early.  Parts of the program will be held outdoors, some seats will be provided, but attendees may choose to bring their own lawn chair. Parking is limited at #18 Schoolhouse. Additional parking is available at the Northern Fauquier Community Park or along Whiting Road. Please do not park along Highway 55.

There is no cost for this program, but registration is encouraged. To Register for this program go to: https://apm.activecommunities.com/fauquierparksandrec/Activity_Search and enter the code 5652 for the Composting and Water Conservation Basics program.