Soil...The Most Biodiverse World Beneath Your Feet

10 million tons of food waste are dumped into California landfills every year. All of that can be transformed into plant loving, nutrient rich compost to feed our soil.

When we think about soil many of us think about the ‘dirt’ in our backyard, perhaps potting mix sold at our local garden shop, or possibly some people may connect soil to the element needed to grow our food. Fact is that we should not be thinking of soil as just dirt, soil is a living part of our ecosystem. So what does soil do for you? Soil not only provides nutrients for our plants, it filters out potential pollutants, holds rainwater, and provides habitat for microbes and animals. The microbes and bacteria in a healthy soil help to maintain the balance needed to grow our food. Healthy soil provides nutrient rich food for us to consume.

The scraps that are left behind after a meal are usually just dumped in the trash can and identified as “waste”. Guess what? It is not waste! These organic materials can easily be turned back into nutrients that we can use to feed our soil by the process of composting. By the help of bacteria and fungi our food scraps can be turned into food for our gardens that provide food for us.

There are several techniques and tools that can be used to nurture our soil and create healthy compost. A wonderful place to learn more is The Ecology Center. On March 28, 2015 they are holding a hands-on workshop Garden Soil Basics & Composting starting at 1PM. The class will explore mycorrhizal fungi, soil bacteria, compost, compost teas and microbe boosting soil amendments. Participants will walk away with knowledge about how to create and maintain healthy soil and compost for their gardens.

If you are interested in the hands-on workshop, tickets are available on The Ecology Center’s website: $20 for members and $30 for non-members. The proceeds support The Ecology Center’s non-profit eco-educational programs for schools around Southern California.