Today’s Composting News Review:
More back-yard gardeners are becoming interested in the process of composting as a means of improving the annual garden produce. As interest in composting activity continues to grow, local municipalities are taking action to support the process. The leaves that fall within a given region are one ingredient that make up a good back-yard compost pile. Some local township officials within our nation have decided to utilize the leaves that they routinely collect throughout their municipality for the purpose of composting. It is considered a win-win by many!
Composting is a way for the home gardener to add nutrient-rich humus to the outside soil which will act to fuel plant growth and restore key elements to soil that may be nutrient depleted. In general, composting is a process of breaking down organic waste such as food waste, leaves and trimmings and even coffee grounds into a useful humus-like substance so that the end-product acts as a valuable soil additive to enhance plant growth.
Many local communities have an over abundance of leaves that fall to the ground and are ultimately collected and disposed of. Now instead of just disposing of the leaves wastefully, the town of Greenwich, CT. is working to develop a program that puts all of the fallen leaves to good use. Development of the leaf composting program will not only put the leaves to better use, but it will save money for some as well.
The leaf composting program in Greenwich is a joint effort of the towns Department of Public Works, Board of Education and Parks and Recreation Department. Township leaders will encourage residents to start composting their leaves instead of disposing. The township’s Conservation Director Denise Savageau relayed that the program will benefit the community in a couple important ways. Savageau said that the program is expected to save the township money as well as benefit the environment. The program will save the township money by reducing the amount of time and resources that the township will need during the fall leaf collection time. In general, if residents begin composting their own leaves, the township will save money related to reduced waste and disposal costs. Savageau relayed that an objective of the program is to educate local residents so that they are aware of the benefits to composting with leaves. For example, Savageau shared that the compost can provide supplemental nutrients to the soil which will benefit resident lawns. A local board in town actually referred to composted leaves as “black gold.”
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