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
: 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
For complete information regarding composting please visit the city's website regarding Backyard Composting
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