What could you do with the grass cuttings, autumn leaves and kitchen scraps you produce? This autumn, Sustainable South Hams’ Compost for Nature programme brings together five events around Totnes, exploring everything from the life inside a compost heap to biochar, wormeries and Bokashi.

The programme welcomes all levels of knowledge, with something for experienced composters as well as people getting started. Whether you compost at home, tend an allotment or help with a community garden, it’s an opportunity to explore different approaches and find ideas to take back to your own space.

We’re particularly pleased that Agriton UK’s Martyn Richards will be supporting the Discover Bokashi Composting workshop. We’re also sharing our how-to video on building a green waste Bokashi pile, so you can see the process before coming along.

1. The Ecology of the Compost Heap

Saturday 3 October 2026 | Apricot Centre, TQ9 6AA

Microscopy workshops: three sessions between 2pm and 5.30pm.
Evening talk: 6.30pm–8pm.

There’s more to a compost heap than the material we put into it. This opening event puts compost ecology in the spotlight, with afternoon microscopy workshops and an evening talk.

If you’re curious about the living world within your compost, this is the event to put in your diary. The microscopy sessions offer a closer look, while the evening talk provides another opportunity to explore the theme. Check the booking information for individual workshop start times and how to reserve your place.

2. Composting & Biochar Workshop

Friday 9 October 2026 | 11am–3pm | School Farm, TQ9 6EB

The second workshop brings composting and biochar together at School Farm. For gardeners who have heard about biochar and want to explore its relationship with compost, this is a chance to investigate the subject further.

Bring your curiosity and questions about how these approaches might fit into your garden, allotment or community growing project.

3. Home & Allotment Composting Workshop

Saturday 17 October 2026 | 1pm–4pm | Mansion House, Totnes, TQ9 5RP

This session places home and allotment composting at the centre of the programme. It’s a relevant choice for anyone starting a composting system or looking afresh at an existing one.

Every growing space is different. Think about the materials you have available, the space you can use and the questions you’d like to bring along. The wider programme is open to both first-time and experienced composters.

4. DIY Wormery & Vermicomposting

Friday 6 November 2026 | 1.30pm–4.30pm | School Farm, TQ9 6EB

November begins with a workshop focused on DIY wormeries and vermicomposting—composting with worms.

If you’re interested in introducing a wormery at home or into a growing project, this session offers a dedicated opportunity to explore that approach. It also adds another option to the mix for those already using a conventional compost heap.

5. Discover Bokashi Composting — Supported by Martyn Richards

Friday 20 November 2026 | 11am–3.30pm | School Farm, TQ9 6EB

The final workshop turns to Bokashi, with Martyn Richards from Agriton UK supporting the session.

For anyone who knows Bokashi through kitchen food-waste buckets, green waste Bokashi opens up another conversation: how can we make use of the plant material produced in our gardens and growing spaces?

Martyn’s involvement brings Agriton’s practical experience with Bokashi to the event. Come along with your questions, whether you’re new to the approach or interested in how it could fit alongside your current composting system.

Watch: How to Build a Green Waste Bokashi Pile

To accompany the workshop, we’re sharing our practical video showing how to build a green waste Bokashi pile. It walks through building, compacting and covering the pile, giving you a visual introduction to the process.

Watch before the session, save it to revisit later, or share it with someone who manages garden waste at an allotment, school or community garden.

Booking Your Place

The programme advertises sliding-scale payments from £0 to £20, helping make the events accessible to a range of budgets.

For further details and booking, visit the Sustainable South Hams events page, use the individual QR codes on the event poster, or email mel@sussh.org. Check the current listing for your chosen session before making travel plans.

The poster features Sustainable South Hams, South Hams District Council, Libraries Unlimited, The National Lottery Community Fund, Totnes Climate Hub, Incredible Edible Totnes and Agriton Group.

Choose the session that sparks your interest, bring your questions and join the conversation about making better use of the organic materials around us.

Compost for Nature: Five Autumn Workshops to Get More from Your Compost