Lynn Barber, Hillsborough County Extension
On a monthly basis, from February through November, we present Composting, Microirrigation and Rainwater Harvesting Workshops at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County. These workshops are free to Hillsborough County residents.
The Composting workshop provides information about home composting, how to turn trash into treasure. Attendees will learn how to recycle kitchen and yard waste, while creating a rich soil amendment. Compost adds nutrients to the soil and retains moisture in the root zone where it can be used by plants. Composting workshop attendees receive a compost bin and thermometer.
The Microirrigation workshop teaches attendees how to have a healthy and attractive lawn and landscape while conserving water. Tips on installing and using microirrigation are also presented. This irrigation method not only conserves water but is less restricted by current water restrictions. Microirrigation workshop attendees receive a microirrigation kit.
In the Rainwater Harvesting workshop, you can learn how rain barrels, made from a
55-gallon plastic food-grade drum, are useful for collecting rainwater for landscape bed and ornamental plant irrigation. Harvesting rainwater reducing erosion, potable water use and stormwater runoff. Rainwater harvesting workshop attendees receive a rain barrel that has been drilled and spigot installed.
Each of our workshops is an hour, starting with Composting at 8:30 a.m., then Microirrigation at 9:30 a.m. and Rainwater Harvesting at 10:30 a.m. We provide one informational packet/item per household/address. The representative of the household must be an adult. Those who have already attended a workshop before are not eligible to attend again.
For information, visit hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml. Located at 5339 CR 579, Seffner.
