Go Green with Worms

The Growing Home is offering a unique class Saturday to interested participants: how to compost using worms.

“We're holding this event to spread information,” said owner Rishi Kumar. “Using a tropical worm known as the red wiggler, we will be teaching people how to turn the food scraps from their kitchen into the most valuable, rich compost known to man.”

The Growing Home is a garden and educational center in Diamond Bar. Kumar hopes that by hosting the class, more people will understand the importance of composting.  

“Each year, millions of pounds of high value, biodegradable materials like kitchen waste, green waste, etcetera are dumped into landfills,” he said. “Once they are in landfills, they rot, releasing carbon dioxide and methane gas, adding to the problems of climate change. All this material can easily be composted in the backyards of the homes they were produced in. Once composted down, this material would reduce water use in yards, enrich soil, encourage wildlife, and sequester carbon into the soil. Most people just don't know what composting is or how to do it.”

The event will run from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and is open to everyone. Participants will be given a tour of the garden, and will be able to sample fruits and vegetables. A free potluck will be held afterwards.

“Families will have fun, and kids will enjoy playing with the worms,” Kumar said. 

The cost is $15 per person, plus $30 for a vermicompost bin to take home. Registration is required, and can be done at the Growing Home website. For more information, e-mail Kumar at rishi@thegrowinghome.net. To subscribe to the Growing Home’s newsletter, click here.