Every year, we throw out millions of cubic yards of leaves, grass clippings, prunings, and kitchen scraps that can comprise a large percentage of our waste stream, if not handled responsibly. These materials can and should be recycled in your garden. This mulch holds moisture and improves the soil. Apply leaves and pine needles directly as a mulch, or shred first and then mulch, or set them aside for composting. Chip tree and shrub prunings and use as mulch or add to your compost pile.
Larger branches can go directly into a brush pile, providing quality wildlife cover.
If you can't compost, urge your community to start a leaf-composting program. As a result, the community will have compost for enriching individual and community gardens. All rights reserved.