Using your Garden as a Partner in Recycling
The Newberg Graphic, July 13, 2005
There are several things you can do to maintain an earth friendly yard and garden-and still have a beautiful space for your family and friends to relax this summer.
Grasscycle. You've heard of recycling but have you heard of Grasscycling? Grasscycling is simply leaving the grass clippings on the lawn-no more raking! This adds valuable nitrogen back into the soil and leaves more room in your yard debris cart for flowerbed and shrub pruning debris. By mowing more often and grasscycling, you can save up to 40% on mowing time. Frequent mowing actually makes the grass thicker which means less room for weeds. Pickup the pamphlet, Grasscycling in Yamhill County, at the Newberg Garbage Service office for more helpful grasscycling tips.
Compost. By composting your kitchen scraps and yard debris, you reduce the amount of waste that you throw away and are rewarded with a valuable soil amendment that can help you save money in the garden! Applying compost and mulch to your flowers and trees replenishes the soil without relying on chemicals and fertilizers. Newberg Garbage Service sells backyard composters at cost, complete with an illustrated instruction book. Stop by the office to check one out.
Use Compost Tea. Compost tea is a nutrient rich brew made from compost. It can be used in landscaping to build healthy soils and to introduce beneficial organisms that will out compete pests and disease. Compost tea can reduce your reliance on pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Many garden centers sell compost tea and you can buy small systems to make it yourself at home.
Let worms eat your garbage. Worm composting is a great way to teach kids about composting and soil structure while helping the environment! A small worm bin is easy to make and maintain. The worms live off your vegetable scraps and quickly produce nutrient rich compost that your plants will love.
Go Native. Choose plants that are native to the Northwest. These plants are best suited to the local climate and often require less water and fertilizers. They can also have natural disease resistance that will help you eliminate the use of pesticides and fungicides. Check with your favorite nursery for help choosing the right native plants for your yard.
Reduce Water Use. Choose an irrigation system that is right for your garden. There are inexpensive, do-it yourself irrigation systems available that deliver water directly to thirsty plants. To reduce evaporation, water early in the morning or at night. Infrequent, long irrigation cycles promote deep root zones that help plants withstand drought. Using compost and mulch around trees and plants helps the soil retain moisture and also suppresses weeds.
Reuse. Support your community by donating old flowerpots to local organizations that grow plants for fundraisers. Find creative new uses for scrap metal, glass, old dishes, and other items that you might otherwise throw out. One mans garbage is another mans garden art!
Good news! You can now recycle plastic flowerpots! If you can't find someone to reuse all your plastic flowerpots, bring them to the public recycling depot on Wynooski in Newberg. Just a reminder, plastic flowerpots are NOT collected curbside, so please DO NOT put them in your gray lidded recycling cart, bring them to the recycling depot Monday through Saturday, 8 to 5 pm.
Please contact Newberg Garbage Service for a copy of Natural Gardening handbook, How to Build a worm bin, Grasscycling in Yamhill County, Composting Guide and more! 503-538-1388. 2904 Wynooski Rd, Newberg.
By: Martha Hovis, Recycling Coordinator
Newberg Garbage & Recycling Service
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