|
HANDLING YARD WASTE
As of December 1, 1993, Ohio law began prohibiting landfills from
accepting yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, and brush as
regular solid waste. Left where they belong, grass clippings decompose
quickly. If placed in bags in landfills and buried under trash, they
take years to break down all the while taking up valuable landfill space.
If you currently bag your clippings, the solution is simple; just mow
your lawn and let the clippings fall to the soil. They will decompose
rapidly, and because they contain important nutrients, they will help
feed your lawn. That means that you won't have to fertilize as often as
you may now. You won't need to water your lawn as much either since
grass clippings are more than 80% water. Less fertilizing, less
watering, and no more lawn bags means saving money!
Here are some suggestions for a great lawn without bagging:
- Don't cut your grass too short.
- Mow when your grass is 3 to 4 inches tall and set your mower
blades to only cut 1 inch; it's better to only cut 1/3 of the length
at a time.
- Mow only when it is dry.
- Keep your mower blade sharp.
If you are faced with a large pile of excess clippings:
- Use it for mulch by spreading a thin layer of clippings around
trees and shrubs, or between the rows of your garden.
- Mix it with your leaves and start your own compost pile.
- Take it to your local landfill where it will be properly managed.
- Call your local government for local pick-ups or yard waste
drop-off sites.
A
Recipe for Homemade Compost
|
