Yard wastes make up about 20% of collected municipal solid waste. Keeping this material out of the waste stream extends the life of landfills and, at the same time, produces a useful organic soil amendment. It is a commitment to recycling.

One simple way is to let leaves from your oak or other trees fall to the ground around the tree and decompose there – this is a type of can be done in a controlled manner in your back yard.

'); return false">composting. Or, you can pile those leaves into a container at least 3x3x3 along with other yard trimmings that have been chopped (run over them with your lawn mower), vegetable wastes, coffee grounds and egg shells from your kitchen. Turn it occasionally and keep it moist. In a few months you will have great compost to add to your garden beds. You do not want to put animal wastes, bones, oils, fat or dairy products into your compost – they will decompose, however, they will probably attract unwanted critters to your pile.

We offer free composting classes at the Pinellas County Extension office. Please visit our website listed below and check the on line registration for the next class. A compost demonstration area is located in the back of our building, next to the herb garden.

Additional Resources
 http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/lawn_and_garden/compost.html

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HE005

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP323