Story Published: Mar 27, 2011 at 9:23 PM PDT
Story Updated: Mar 27, 2011 at 9:23 PM PDT
Compost is great for the soil, conserves water and stops fertilizer runoff. Rather than dumping your unwanted organic material into the trash, saving it for compost may be the ultimate act of green frugality.
Local compost consultant Dan Caldwell said it's a sort of 'circle of life.'
"It's a great way to close the loop on it," said Caldwell. "Take the crop aftermath that ends up either getting burned or ends up in a landfill. Nationwide we need to keep it out of the landfills. Compost is a great way to handle organics. In fact, in some states it's against the law to put organics into the landfills."
Compost is a natural fertilizer; it can be made with anything from egg-shells and coffee grounds, to dryer lint and nail clippings. It's great for soil, conserves water and stops fertilizer run-off. So, for those of you whose green thumbs are just about defrosted, Caldwell said compost is one of the best things for your garden.
"If you put your own compost in your own soil then you know what your vegetables are going to come out like," said Caldwell. "You know, you're better off, if you can, to raise your own vegetables than buying them in the store. You don't know where they came from, how they were handled and that sort of thing."
