"Have a Breakdown! (Learn To Compost)" at Canton Public Library

            If you’ve always wanted to compost, but you haven’t felt ready to try, plan to join other gardeners at “Have a Breakdown! (Learn To Compost)” with Rosemary Aldridge at Canton Public Library on Tuesday, July 24.  The program begins at 7:00 PM.

            The presentation will teach participants how to break down all of the valuable organic materials that might otherwise end up in the trash stream.  Topics will include the C/N ratio, “hot” versus “cool” composting, the “trash can” technique, compost tea, aerobic vs. anaerobic decomposition and much more.  Participants will learn how to compost in the winter so that the “black gold” is ready for the garden in the spring.  The program will include a Powerpoint presentation, and participants will walk away with a handout.  There will be time for Q&A.

            Aldridge has a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University and 29 years of experience in garden design, wetlands mitigation planting plans, native plantings, and site planning.  She has lectured for the Federated Garden Clubs in principles of landscape architecture, structures in the garden, public landscapes, landscape design resources, graphics interpretations, and the history of American landscape architecture from Colonial days to the 1940’s.

For the last two years she  has been an Environmental Educator at Westmoor Park in West Hartford, where she is responsible for conducting field trips for children from age 12 months to grade 4, in subjects such as plants and seeds, farm animals, marine and freshwater ecology, amphibians and reptiles, and plant and animal adaptations.  She also teaches adult continuing education programs at Westmoor Park in topics such as composting, soft cheesemaking, and a mother-daughter knitting class.  Rosemary Aldridge, a long-time Canton resident, is also the chair of Canton’s Planning Commission.

            The program is free; registration is requested.  Canton Public Library is at 40 Dyer Avenue, Canton.  For information:  (860) 693-5800 or www.cantonpubliclibrary.org