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YARD MATERIALS MANAGEMENT AT HOME
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The
Village encourages residents to recycle their leaves, grass clippings
and garden debris at home to enrich their sandy soil. You can:
GRASS-CYCLE -LEAVE GRASS CLIPPINGS ON YOUR LAWN! Leave
clippings on your lawn for free nitrogen equal to one application
of fertilizer. Clippings beak down quickly and do not cause thatch.
CUT
IT HIGH! Let your grass grow to 3 - 3 ½ " before
cutting it back to 2 ½ to 3". This promotes deeper roots,
shades out weeds and reduces the amount of time you spend on mowing,
bagging and raking. Be sure your mower blade is sharp.
USE
GRASS CLIPPINGS FOR MULCH! Mulch your gardens, flower beds
and around tress and shrubs with grass clippings. Herbicide treated
grass should not be used as mulch for 6 weeks after application.
Treated grass can be composted or left on the lawn. Do not compost
if treated with DOW chemicals Confront (or other herbicides containing
clopyralid or picloram).
MAKE COMPOST! Mix leaves, grass clippings garden debris
and appropriate food scraps togheth to make rich backyard compost.
Improve sandy or clay soils, retain moisture and grow healthier
plants.
COMPOST
RECIPE:
*Put a layer of coarse sticks or garden
debris in the bottom of a compost bin.
*Mix equal weights of green yard trimmings with brown leaves or other
dried plant material. In fall, layer leaves with a thin layer of nitrogen
rich alfalfa meal or dried blood meal.
*Bury food scraps 6-8" into pile. Add fruits, vegetables, paper,
egg shells, pet fur, shredded paper, and coffee grounds and filters.
No meat, dairy or pet manure. Avoid adding diseased plants and persistent
weeds.
*Add water when building compost pile. Keep the pile sponge damp at
all times.
*Turn pile occasionally.
*In about 12 - 18 months the center and bottom of the pile will be
crumbly compost.
Use
it in your garden, on your lawn or as a mulch.
For
more information: Pick up Home Built Bin Plans or brochures
on "Home Composting" or "Yard Care" in the Village Clerk's Office.
Commercial
and Home Built Bins are on display at:
Plover Wastewater Treatment Compost Site-Coolidge Avenue
Schmeeckle Reserve Home Compost Demonstration Site (south of the
Visitor's Center on N Point Dr., Stevens Point)
Workshops and other questions? Call the Portage County's Recycling
and Solid Waste Info Line at 345-5972.
