How to Reduce Yard Waste

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Grasscycling: Let The Clips Fall:

Use a mulching mower or retrofit your current mower with a mulching blade kit and let clips fall back into the lawn. This method:
 
  • Adds nitrogen from clippings to the soil
  • Cuts fertilizer use by 30% or more
Cut only 1/3 of grass blade at a time to promote root growth and shade out weeds. Deep roots help plants resist drought and disease.

Home Composting

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Transform your yard waste into humus-rich compost.  Use compost in the garden with potted plants, as a topdressing for lawns, or as mulch around trees and shrubs.

Compost Benefits:


 
  • Aerates and adds nutrients to the soil
  • Encourages root growth
  • Improves soil structure

Ideal Ratio:

 
  • 50% Leaves (carbon)
  • 25% Grass (nitrogen)
  • 25% Soil + Water
compost
A diagram of reducing yard waste through home composting.
Compost 3
For complete information regarding composting please visit the city's website regarding Backyard Composting
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Other Options To Reduce Yard Waste
 

  • Add low-maintenance plant beds and ground covers, slow-growth bushes, decks and permeable walkways to your yard to reduce lawn area.
  • Add shredded leaves and grass to your compost pile.
  • Shred leaves into lawn with mulching mower; adds nutrients and does not hurt the lawn.
  • Use Shredded leaves and grass clippings as mulches to control weeds, conserve moisture and reduce soil erosion:
       
    • Sprinkle 1-inch layer around bushes or tree base.
    • Work into garden soil.

For More Information

For free fact sheets on grasscycling, composting, and other yard waste reduction and healthy lawn and garden tips, call or write:

SOCRRA
3910 W. Webster Road
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Phone: 248-288-5150
www.socrra.org