Wondering what to do with those mounds of raked leaves and clumps of grass clippings? Think of it as a resource—one that will help keep your flowers blooming and your yard healthy and beautiful, year after year. Putting yard, garden and tree waste in your garbage is illegal in Minnesota. Rather than paying to dispose of this organic resource, compost it!

Composting Tips

Composting is a great way for you to reduce the amount of yard and garden waste you throw away.  Leaves, grass and plant trimmings, along with some types of food waste, can be combined in a backyard compost bin to create a valuable soil additive for your lawn and garden. That is recycling at its best! Use the finished compost to improve your soil or as mulch around plants.

You can compost:

• Plant trimmings 
• Grass and leaves
• Vegetable and fruit scraps, rinds, and peels 
• Coffee grounds and filters 
• Tea leaves and tea bags 
• Egg shells 
• Nut shells 

 

Do NOT Compost:

• Butter, cheese, or dairy products
• Meats or bones 
• Gravies or sauces 
• Pet feces

 

Items that can't be composted should go in the garbage. Large amounts of cooking oil and grease are accepted from residents at the Carver County Environmental Center, Dakota County Recycling Zone and Ramsey County's household hazardous waste collection sites (see county links at right).

Recipe for Good Clean Dirt

Like a simple recipe, your compost pile needs the right mix of ingredients in order to produce the best results. 

• As a general rule, add three parts of dry ingredients - leaves or dry grass - to one part wet food waste.
• Keep the pile most. The optimal moisture level for compost is best described as similar to a wrung-out sponge.

• Speed up decomposition by turning the pile with a pitch fork or shovel at least monthly.

 

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Reduction Tips

Leave grass clippings on the lawn to eliminate or reduce the need for fertilizers. If you're still using fertilizers, do so sparingly and choose phosphorus-free varieties to keep our rivers and lakes free of algae.