Introduction to Composting

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Learn the principles of composting, including why it is an important part of sustainable gardening, how to make your own garden compost and how best to use it within your own garden.

Compost provides a number of benefits to your soil including providing nutrients, improving soil structure and can also be used as a mulch. It is also a great way to recycle garden waste, improving the sustainability credentials of your garden and also saving you money.

Tutor Ian smith, RHS Advisor, will guide you through the principles of composting, with ideas and suggestions of how to introduce a suitable compost system into your own garden.

• Tutor: Ian Smith has over 20 years horticultural experience in a variety of creative, practical and educational roles and has a passion for gardening. He has designed a range of gardens for clients, from compact spaces to large country estates and studied many aspects of horticulture including the RHS Master of Horticulture in 2015. Ian has taught horticulture and garden design with Bicton College and the RHS, is an RHS Horticultural Advisor at RHS Rosemoor and the RHS Flower Shows and is a trustee for the Devon Gardens Trust. He has an interest in historic gardens, their research and future development and is keen to inspire more people to garden. 
• Location and arrival information: The workshop will take place mostly in the Peter Buckley Learning Centre, with some time also spent in the garden. Please allow 15 minutes to park in the main visitor car park, enter the garden and get to the Learning Centre.  
• Catering: Tea / coffee and biscuits will be available in the classroom.
• For this workshop you will need:
  • Your booking reference number to show to the team at the Garden Entrance. 
  • A notebook and pencil to make notes.
  • Clothing suitable for being indoors and outdoors, appropriate to weather on the day.
  • Closed-toed shoes (not sandals or flipflops).

Skill Level: Upskiller – I have mastered the basics of gardening, and would like to build on my horticultural knowledge and skills.