Introduction to Hot Composting for Composting Teas
Start on April 1st 2020 @ 18:30. End on April 15th 2020 @ 21:30
INTRODUCTION TO HOT COMPOSTING FOR COMPOST TEAS
by Crooked Farmz
April 1- April 15 6:30-9:30
The Workaround, 2080 Danforth at Woodbine
Learn more during this three-week intensive about improving soil health organically to better support your backyard urban farms, vegetable gardens, or perennial beds. Week one will cover soil health and the soil food web; week two will cover hot composting techniques for the urban context; and week three will cover the basics of brewing aerobic compost tea to improve microbial health in the soil. Students will learn the steps to create their own compost tea brewer, how to prepare basic recipes for tea, and will develop a plan for generating compost in the home garden. Facilitated by Sean Smith of Crooked Farmz.
$80.
(Sliding scale support is available if cost is a barrier.)
This is designed as an intensive introductory course which aims to be rewarding to both the composting beginner as well as the more experienced gardener looking to improve skills and develop received wisdoms. The approach will blend lecture style with discussions, worksheet exercises, and demonstrations.
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"The compost maker is a farmer of microbes, no less a farmer than a dairy farmer or a vegetable grower."
(Grace Gershuny, 'Feeding the Soil on the Organic Farm')
Week One: Soil Health and the Soil Food Web
1. Land Acknowledgements
2. Benefits of Compost Tea
3. Soil Health: A Closer Look
4. The "Soil Food Web"
5. What is Hot Composting?
6. What is Actively Aerobic Compost Tea?
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Week Two: Hot Composting
1. Types of Composters
2. The C:N Ratio
3. Aeration and Moisture
4. Feedstocks and Amendments
5. Nonhuman Partners: Fungi, Worms and Others
6. An Annual Cycle for Spring Tea
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Week Three: Actively Aerobic Compost Tea
1. Bioreactors and Bubblers
2. A Basic Compost Tea Recipe
3. Amendments for Bacterial and Fungal Brews
4. Application Rate and Frequency
5. Shelf Life
6. In-Class Workshop