April 08, 2022
Heal the Soil / Heal the Soul
The Benefits of Composting
Do you have an abundance of food waste? Do you ever wish you could put all those yard scraps to good use? Composting is the magical solution to turning your food and yard waste into nutrient rich soil amendment for your home garden. Expensive fertilizers aren’t necessary when you are able to harness the power of nature’s decomposers. Inside your compost, bacteria and fungi metabolize the nutrients in food and yard waste to produce a humus rich with carbon, potassium, nitrogen, magnesium, and phosphorus.
One of the many benefits of composting is the improved health of your plants. The loomy consistency of compost helps to retain moisture levels in the soil, keeping water available for the plants. While the abundance of essential nutrients will lead to healthier plants that are more resistant to pests and will produce larger foliage, fruits and vegetables. Living within the compost, beneficial bacteria and fungi mycelium fight off plant pathogens present in the soil, protecting your plants from diseases.
Composting not only improves the health of your plants, but it also helps to heal the environment. By contributing your organic waste into the natural cycle of regeneration you are reducing the amount of waste in our landfills. This then reduces harmful methane emissions from organic matter in landfills that contribute to greenhouse gasses. Compost can also be used for the remediation of soils contaminated by hazardous waste.
Carli Fobes
Botanist and Educator
How Can I Make A Difference?
COLLECT YOUR FOOD SCRAPS
Fruits & veggies
Coffee grounds
Eggshells
Flowers
Plants & leaves
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LEAVE OUT
Meat, fish & eggs
Dairy products
Pet waste
Unhealthy plants
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DROPOFF
Drop your food scraps off at LBCC
2714 California Ave., Long Beach
Friday 8:00 – 9:30 am
Sunday 10:00 – 11:30 am
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VOLUNTEER
Spend the morning with the team to learn more about the magic of composting
(Same time and place as dropoff)
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ENJOY THE BENEFITS
Take home some free bagged compost and use it to help nourish your plants and garden
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SHARE & SPREAD THE WORD
Be part of the change and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to connect with the soil
@LBCOMMUNITYCOMPOST
LBCOMMUNITYCOMPOST.ORG