Learn advanced techniques for creating rich, living soil amendments using locally available materials. Transform waste into garden gold and build soil fertility naturally.
Composting is often called the heart of sustainable gardening, and for good reason. This course takes you beyond basic composting to explore a variety of techniques for creating high-quality soil amendments from locally available materials. Whether you're a home gardener, community garden leader, or small-scale farmer, you'll learn how to transform "waste" materials into valuable resources that build soil fertility, improve plant health, and close nutrient cycles.
Through detailed video demonstrations, practical assignments, and comprehensive guides, you'll master both traditional and innovative composting methods that can be adapted to various contexts across Africa. The course emphasizes practical, low-cost approaches that work with local materials and conditions, helping you build soil fertility without relying on expensive imported inputs.
This intermediate-level online course includes:
All course materials are available in both English and French, with some resources also available in Swahili and Kinyarwanda.
Basic gardening experience and familiarity with simple composting concepts are recommended. Our "Introduction to Sustainable Gardening" course provides a good foundation if you're new to composting.
Soil Scientist & Composting Specialist
Jean-Pierre Mbungu has dedicated over 15 years to researching and teaching sustainable soil management practices across Central and East Africa. With a Master's degree in Soil Science from the University of Kinshasa and extensive field experience, he brings both scientific knowledge and practical wisdom to his teaching.
As the founder of the Soil Regeneration Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a consultant for agricultural projects in Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, Jean-Pierre has helped thousands of farmers and gardeners improve their soil fertility through locally-appropriate composting techniques.
His approach emphasizes working with available materials and adapting methods to different climates and contexts, making composting accessible to everyone from urban gardeners to rural farmers.
2 months ago
This course transformed our community garden in Kigali. Before, we struggled with poor soil and expensive fertilizers. Now we're creating amazing compost from local materials, and our garden productivity has doubled! The section on traditional African methods was particularly valuable as it helped us integrate techniques our grandparents used with modern understanding.
4 months ago
As a school garden coordinator in Senegal, I needed practical composting solutions that work in our dry climate and could be managed by students. This course delivered exactly that! The vermicomposting and bokashi sections were game-changers for our small space. Jean-Pierre explains everything clearly with practical demonstrations that made implementation easy.
1 month ago
I've been composting for years but still learned so much from this course. The scientific explanations helped me understand why some of my previous attempts failed. The compost tea section alone was worth the price - my vegetables are healthier than ever! My only suggestion would be to add more content on composting in very humid tropical conditions.
Learn the fundamentals of sustainable gardening practices that work with nature, conserve resources, and produce abundant harvests.
Master simple and effective techniques for capturing, storing, and utilizing rainwater in your garden and home.
Learn how to design, implement, and maintain educational gardens that engage students and enhance learning across the curriculum.
Absolutely! The course covers several small-space composting methods perfect for apartments, including vermicomposting and bokashi fermentation. These techniques allow you to process kitchen waste without odors or pests, even in indoor settings.
Most of the composting methods taught can be implemented with minimal equipment using locally available materials. The course emphasizes low-cost, accessible approaches. For each technique, we discuss both basic implementations and optional tools that can make the process more efficient.
This course goes far beyond basic composting instructions. We explore the science behind effective composting, troubleshoot common problems, and cover multiple specialized techniques. The content is specifically adapted for African contexts, with consideration for different climates, locally available materials, and traditional knowledge. The course also includes practical demonstrations, assignments, and community support that aren't available through free resources.
Yes, we offer scholarships for community educators, school garden coordinators, and individuals with financial constraints. Please contact our team at courses@dilulu.org with details about your situation and how you plan to use the knowledge gained from this course.
Yes, all video lessons are available for download to accommodate learners with limited internet access. The downloadable resources are also provided in PDF format for easy offline reference.
Definitely! Module 5 specifically addresses community and farm-scale composting systems. You'll learn how to design efficient systems for larger volumes, manage community participation, and implement appropriate techniques for your specific context.
