Free Composting Workshops

free composting workshop


It's easy to compost at home! Join a free workshop to learn how.
 

Our workshops will teach you how to turn kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Home composting is taught by a team of ten rotating LA Sanitation & Environment green waste specialists. 

LA's favorite horticulturist, Steve List, will be with us to share his monthly Urban Gardening topics:

  • January - Bare Root & Fruit Tree Pruning
  • February - Soil Preparation & Getting your Garden Ready for Spring
  • March - Spring Planting - Veggies and Flowers
  • April - Herbs, Pollinators & Drought Tolerant Plants (CA friendly)

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All workshops will be listed on Eventbrite, where you can RSVP.  



Dates and Locations
The following locations offer workshops on Saturdays from 9am to 11am. Please click the link in the workshop date for more information and to register your attendance.


2024 Workshop Schedule

 Date
Workshop
Location 
Address 
August 24Home Composting & Urban GardeningLopez Canyon Environmental Center11950 Lopez Canyon Road Sylmar, CA 91342
August 31Home Composting & Urban GardeningStoner Recreation Center 1835 Stoner Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Sept 7Home Composting & Urban GardeningGaffey Nature Center 721 West Summerland Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90731
Sept 14Home Composting & Urban GardeningGriffith Park 5400 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Sept 21Home Composting & Urban GardeningSouth LA Wetlands5413 South Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Sept 28Home Composting & Urban GardeningLopez Canyon Environmental Center11950 Lopez Canyon Road Sylmar, CA 91342
Oct 5Home Composting & Urban GardeningMacArthur Park7th & South Park View Street Los Angeles, CA 90057
Oct 12Home Composting & Urban GardeningGriffith Park5400 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Oct 19Home Composting & Urban GardeningSouth LA Wetlands5413 South Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Oct 26Home Composting & Urban GardeningLopez Canyon Environmental Center11950 Lopez Canyon Road Sylmar, CA 91342
Nov 2Home Composting & Urban GardeningGaffey Nature Center721 West Summerland Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90731
Nov 9Home Composting & Urban GardeningGriffith Park5400 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Nov 16Home Composting & Urban GardeningMacArthur Park7th & South Park View Street Los Angeles, CA 90057
Nov 23Home Composting & Urban GardeningLopez Canyon Environmental Center11950 Lopez Canyon Road Sylmar, CA 91342
Dec 7Home Composting & Urban GardeningGaffey Nature Center721 West Summerland Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90731
Dec 14Home Composting & Urban GardeningGriffith Park5400 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Dec 21Home Composting & Urban GardeningHollenbeck Park415 S. St. Louis St. Los Angeles CA 90027
Dec 28Home Composting & Urban GardeningLopez Canyon Environmental Center11950 Lopez Canyon Road Sylmar, CA 91342
Jan 4Home Composting & Urban GardeningStoner Rec Center (West LA)1835 Stoner Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027
Jan 11Home Composting & Urban GardeningGriffith Park5400 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Jan 18Home Composting & Urban GardeningSouth LA Wetlands5413 South Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Jan 25Home Composting & Urban GardeningLopez Canyon Environmental Center11950 Lopez Canyon Road Sylmar, CA 91342
Registration is required for each participant so that we can get an accurate head count and bring enough materials with us for everyone. The workshops will be held rain or shine, except during extreme weather events. In the event of a cancellation, you will be notified via email and we will update our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and water for yourself, particularly on hot days.

Workshop Offerings

The following are available at discounted rates to City of Los Angeles residents for purchase, while supplies last. Proof of residency such as a state-issued ID with home address or a utility bill will be required for purchases. All locations accept checks. Griffith Park accepts Visa and Master Card as well. Cash is not accepted, and we apologize that we are unable to accept American Express at this time.
 

Compost bins - $20
Worm bins - $20
Wing Diggers (compost aeration tools) - $8
* If you do not have proof of residence within the City of Los Angeles, you will be charged the full price of each item purchased as opposed to the discounted price noted above. 
 

Free mulch and compost are available at all locations. At Griffith Park and Lopez Canyon, bulk mulch and compost will be offered, while supplies last. At all other locations, bagged mulch and compost will be available in limited quantities.

All participants will receive a free garden plant at the end of the workshop. We'll also have special guests joining us from time to time!
 

Registration

Registration via Eventbrite is a requirement for each participant. All registered City of Los Angeles residents who attend the workshop will be entered into a drawing to win a FREE rain barrel! Please note that if you have received a rain barrel from the City of Los Angeles in the past 12 months, you are not eligible for the drawing. Please note that City staff, contractors, and vendors may register to attend but will not be entered into the drawing.


Register here:  https://lacitysan.eventbrite.com
 


Can't make it to a workshop? 

The videos are never as exciting as being live at a class, but we wanted to offer an alternative to help the public learn more about composting and gardening while we were unable to meet in person.
 

Victory Gardens - Part 1
Victory Gardens - Part 2
Victory Gardens - Part 3

Home Composting - Part 1
Home Composting - Part 2
Home Composting - Part 3
Home Composting - Part 4

Home Composting Presentation



Can't compost at home?
Our friends at LA Compost accept food scraps at community compost hubs and farmers markets around the City of Los Angeles. Click here to learn more. You can also place food scraps in your green bin. 
 

Downloads