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Gardening classes begin Sunday at Unitarian church

The seventh year of free Community Gardening Classes begin Sunday at the First Unitarian Universalist Church where Jim Couts and Sam Doak are presenting plans for both individual and Marietta community composting.

Couts, also called Dr. Worm, and Doak own Jubilee Gardens, where they create tons of organic gardening soils from vegetable and grain wastes.

“Jubilee Organic Gardens is now manufacturing compost using two of the three methods which are nearly odorless and pest free,” said Couts, who operates in the former Kardex facility at 900 Greene St. Couts and Doak use hundreds of thousands of worms converting tons of waste each week and another process they started recently called Acidic Anaerobic Fermentation. The newest method transforms organic waste into usable compost soils in under a month.

The gardening classes are 1 p.m. Sundays Jan. 18 to Feb. 22 in the church sanctuary or downstairs fellowship hall at 232 Third St. The building is handicapped accessible and all gardeners are welcome. The free classes last about an hour, but gardeners are welcome to stay longer to speak one on one with presenters, many of whom are Ohio State University Extension Service Master Gardeners.

The classes are free to be inclusive and in January and February to allow gardeners opportunities to prepare for the growing season with information from area experts.

Couts has been a favorite presenter over the years, teaching the construction of worm bins, compost processes and ideas about lessening impact on the planet through sustainable methods.

Jubilee will be installing an “in-vessel” composter later this year, similar to the equipment now handling food waste at the Noble Correctional Institution near Caldwell.

“Forty percent of all trash now going to the landfill in West Virginia is compostable,” Couts said. “Jubilee hope the day will come when every ounce of compostable waste will be converted into rich soil right here in Marietta.” Couts believes waste now going into landfill from Marietta can be drastically reduced within the next 3 to 5 years.

Couts and Doak will be discussing these methods, there practical use in homes and businesses, and the overall benefits of composting for gardens and even entire farms at the first garden class Sunday.

For more information,www.facebook.com/JubileeOG or call the business office at (740) 525-0278. Be prepared to leave a message for a response.

Other gardening classes planned include:

– Jan. 25 – Susan Young of Athens explores techniques for garden planting with the idea of retrieving seeds for future plantings. A seed exchange also will take place after second class.

– Feb. 1 – OSU Horticulture graduate and landscape expert Lyndsay Biehl presents a program about eatable landscapes. Biehl’s program will build the foundation for the Feb. 22 hands-on construction project of building vertical garden boxes out of pallets for uses in public and private settings.

– Feb. 8 – Dr. George Banziger, a Devola organic gardener, will lead a discussion about sustainable crops and possible impacts on nutritional values of recently concocted seed creations.

– Feb. 15 – Marietta in Bloom members will outline plans for beautifying gateways to Marietta in 2015 and offering opportunities for volunteers to help.

– Feb. 22 – Devola’s Jeff Price, often more known for being a soccer coach, leads a two-hour workshop transforming pallets into multi-level, vertical garden boxes. Participants may build the garden boxes and take them home or build boxes for use in public spaces.

The gardening classes are sponsored by the First Unitarian Universalist Church Green Sanctuary Committee. For additional information, OSU Master Gardener and class coordinator Roger G. Kalter at rogerkalter1@yahoo.com or 373-1784

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