Want to take another step toward greener living? Why not try your hand at composting? It's beneficial for the environment and can improve the look and yield of your vegetable or flower garden.
Master gardener John Kingsbury, who teaches composting techniques, says putting organic materials into your garden soil has a big payoff.
"Roots grow longer, plants are stronger," he said.
Plus, recycling table scraps and yard clippings by composting has an added benefit. It limits materials sent to landfills.
On Saturday, Kingsbury will present a free seminar titled "Compost Happens" at the Pinellas County Extension. The two-hour workshop is mainly for beginners and those who have tried their hand at composting and failed, but more experienced composters are also welcome.
Kingsbury has been teaching this seminar since 2003 and strives to dispel several myths such as composting is difficult and that it smells.
"Scientifically, if it becomes anaerobic or without oxygen or air, it smells. Knowing how to keep it from being anaerobic, is how you keep it from smelling. If you know what the causes are, it is easy to remedy," he said.
Composting, in essence, is the biodegradation of materials, like table scraps and yard clippings, in the home setting. An area in your yard can be boxed in and can function as a compost pile where you can add to it and tend to it as needed.
"Anything organic or once living can be composted. Organic matter breaks down and is recycled," said Kingsbury. "Compost constantly happens naturally around us, mostly without our awareness. Only a simple understanding (of the process) is needed for us to be successful."
Florida's soil tends to be sandy and "organic matter is commonly the missing ingredient," he said. Compost serves as nutrients to plants. As a soil conditioner, he said, "(it) promotes root aeration with nutrient and water retention."
Kingsbury's fascination with composting stems from his love of vegetable gardening coupled with curiosity. He believes that any time is a good time for composting.
"Every month is the best time to recycle," he said. "When are you going to start composting?"
1 Today
Antique and Collectible Show: More than 65 dealers from across the country will come together to sell furniture, jewelry, glassware, Floridiana, militaria, postcards and general antiques or collectibles. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Piccadilly Museum Warehouse, 3150 71st St. N, St. Petersburg. $5 admission; free parking. Call (727) 345-6627.
Indian Shores Library Anniversary High Tea: To commemorate its 45th anniversary, the Indian Shores Library will host a high tea. The staff plans on celebrating with tea, punch, sandwiches, shepherd's pie and pastries. In addition to games and raffles, entertainment will include meeting local novelist Laura Kehoe, author of Beach Cottage Bliss, a fun tale set in a beach community very similar to her hometown of Indian Shores. Tea at 4:30 p.m.; book signing at 5:30 p.m. Town Hall, 19305 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores. Free to library members; $5 for nonmembers. Call (727) 595-2173.
Pinellas Park Civic Orchestra: The Orchestra performs medleys by the Carpenters and Duke Ellington. 7:30 p.m. Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, 4951 78th Ave. N, Pinellas Park. Free. Call (727) 397-3832.
2 Monday
Fall Sunset Film Festival: A series of Billy Wilder and Tennessee Williams films at this special venue atop Push Ultra Lounge. This week features the 1960 movie The Apartment. 8 p.m. Push Ultra Lounge, 128 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 895-6620 or visit studio620.org/620/e_fwtwfs.php.
3 Tuesday
Annual Member's Exhibition: Exhibit of works by the studio's artists, continues through Nov. 14. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Salt Creek Artworks, 1600 Fourth St. S, St. Petersburg. Free admission. Call (727) 894-2653.
4 Wednesday
Glow Golf: Glow-in-the-dark golf outing where golfers may sign up as a foursome or a single. Refreshments served before and after game. Registration at 6:30 p.m.; starts at 7 p.m. Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis facility, 10315 Paradise Blvd., Treasure Island. $20 per player (includes food). Call (727) 360-6062.
Tantric: This popular pop rock band features a post grunge style. 7 p.m. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave. St. Petersburg. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Call (727) 895-3045.
5 Thursday
Big Bang Show: Got jokes? Improv hosts a big show of acts by local talent competing for a $1,000 grand prize. 7 p.m. NOVA 535 Art Lounge, 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. $10 advance, $15 at the door. Call (727) 821-6682 or visit nova535.com.
Tea Dance: An afternoon dance with live mixed music by Bruce Ralg Band. Noon to 2 p.m. at Gladden Park Recreation Center, 3901 30th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $5 per person. Call (727) 893-7458.
6 Friday
First Friday Art Walk: Expanded art village with arts and craft vendors, antique dealers, art demonstrations, live entertainment, and 20 minute mini-classes in glass blowing at the Industrial Arts Center. In the Gulfport Art District, south of 28th Avenue, on Beach Boulevard. Free trolley rides, pet friendly. 6 to 10 p.m. Free. Call (727) 322-5217.
7 Saturday
Art Arbor: Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Park's autumn family festival with arts and crafts vendors, live music, food court, plant sale, wildlife presentations and environmental exhibits, guided tours of the park, and children's activities. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg. Free; $2 suggested donation. Call (727) 893-7326.
Art in the Park: Dozens of local artists display works in a variety of media, live music. Leashed pets welcome. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Straub Park, Beach Drive between First and Second Avenues., St. Petersburg. Free admission. Call (727) 804-6993.
Beer Fest: A beer-garden atmosphere sets off the sampling of more than 100 different beers on draught and in bottles. Free souvenir beer glass and live jazz music by Bobby Tess. 21 and older only. 4 to 8 p.m. Cajun Cafe on the Bayou, 8101 Park Blvd. Pinellas Park. $30, designated drivers $10. Call (727) 546-6732.
St. Pete Beach Community Yard Sale: The St. Pete Beach Community Center will host a communitywide yard sale, where you can sell your own items for extra cash or browse for bargains. Cost for a vendor spot is $10 for St. Pete Beach residents and $12.50 for nonresidents. Tables are $5 each while supplies last. Sellers can begin setting up as early as 6 a.m. Sale runs 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach. Call (727) 363-9245 with questions.
Holiday Bazaar 2009: A fun event to help you start your holiday shopping with arts and crafts, auctions, raffles, home cooked foods and baked goods and more. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sons of Italy Lodge, 2500 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 323-2691.
Historic Roser Park Fine Art and Craft Festival: Fine art and fine crafts. Also garden tours, children's art activities, live jazz, pet adoption, food vendors, raffle. Free parking at Bayfront Medical Center parking garage with transport to the festival. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Historic Roser Park neighborhood along the banks of Booker Creek on Roser Park Drive S (714 Roser Park Drive), St. Petersburg. $1 donation, proceeds benefit the Brookwood Home for Girls. Call (727) 772-3860 or visit roserpark.net.
SPIFFS International Folk Fair: Ethnic villages represent each participating country. Costumed villagers demonstrate craftsmanship and prepare ethnic food specialties. Folk dancing and music performed daily. Nov. 7 and 8. Albert Whitted Airport, 107 Eighth Ave. SE, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 552-1896 or visit spiffs.org.
If you go
Compost Happens
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon.
Where: The Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo
Cost: Free
For more information or to register: call ( 727) 582-2100 or visit pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu.
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