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The Solana Center's Programs in Home Composting
Free Home Composting & Gardening Workshops
Register Now for a Workshop

Subsidized Compost & Worm Bins/Truckload Bin Sales

Compost Demonstration Sites
Solana Center
Water Conservation Garden, Rancho San Diego
Summer's Past Farms, Flinn Springs
Crestridge Ecological Center (Earth Discovery Institute), Crest


School Composting Programs

Community Events
Local Experts in Composting - The "Rotline"OR by PHONE (760) 436-7986 (Ext 216)
Master Composter Training Courses & Volunteer Program
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Compost Supplies in San Diego
Guide to Backyard Composting
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City of Encinitas Composting Program
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Unincorporated County of San Diego Composting Program

Other Resources...

How to build your own compost bin
Stackable Wood Bin
Wooden Pallet Bin
Wire Mesh Bin

How to build your own worm bin

Where to buy worms for your worm bin

Become a Master Composter


The benefits of backyard composting
Backyard composting is an important strategy for managing discarded resources. Yard trimmings and food scraps, taken together, make up one of the largest components of residential discarded resources. Backyard composting is one of the most economical and effective methods of recycling these organic materials.

Composting saves energy and prevents air pollution
By avoiding the collection and burying of yard trimmings in landfills energy can be saved. Less materials put out at the curb means fewer trips to the landfill by collection trucks, and less activity by the large earth moving tractors at the landfill.

Composting saves money & water
Compost created in your backyard replaces soil amendments you would otherwise have to purchase. Using compost also helps save money on your water bills by improving water penetration and retention and reducing runoff and evaporation.

Compost improves garden soil
Adding compost to your soil will improve soil structure, improve soil chemistry, and produce healthier plants. Whether your soil is a heavy clay or a sandy mix, adding compost will benefit its structure. Soil conditions can range from extremely alkaline to acidic. Soil could also be nutrient deficient or contain nutrients in excess. Compost helps soil chemistry by softening these extremes. Plants grown in compost-amended soils tend to be healthier, exhibit resistance to some diseases, are more resistant to pests, show increased drought tolerance, and require less watering.


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