With fall in full swing, Waste Management of Mississippi reminds customers that recycled leaves and grass clippings can be used as a fertilizer to help produce healthier lawns, plants and flowers.
“It is estimated that up to one-third of household garbage is organic waste from yards and kitchens, which is just the type of material that can be used for composting, rather than going into our landfills,” said Tricia Farace, community affairs manager of Waste Management of Mississippi. “Whether you do it yourself at home or purchase compost or mulch, yard trimmings can serve as a rich nutrient for your soil.”
Both compost and mulch can be made from leaves, but they are not the same. Compost is made up of decomposed leaves and other organic matter that is mixed into soil as a nutrient. Mulch is a top cover that goes around plants to prevent the growth of weeds and protect the soil from temperature changes. Leaves used for mulch should not be fully decomposed; instead, they should be shredded and kept in their own bin until you are ready to use them.
Composting takes a little more work, and involves putting leaves, yard trimmings and kitchen scraps into a compost bin where aeration and moisture are controlled to facilitate the decomposition process. The materials need to be periodically mixed, turned over and watered to encourage the process, which eventually produces a rich soil amendment.
In addition to composting and mulching, grasscycling is a process that not only saves time and money, but also protects the environment and reduces the time and effort usually put into lawn care. Grasscycling simply means leaving the grass clippings in place on your lawn after you mow. The clippings quickly decompose, providing proper nutrition to fertilize the soil. This process naturally eliminates the waste otherwise created from mowing the lawn.
One of the most time consuming jobs of garbage collectors is picking up leaves or grass clippings left in a pile in the street. Waste Management encourages customers to bag leaves or clippings if they are going to leave them for pickup.
“We can all make our community even more beautiful by helping nature through the recycling process, by composting, mulching and grasscycling,” Farace said. “It’s also important that as we care for our gardens and yards we are careful to make sure that as we water or fertilize, these materials, pet waste and litter are kept out of our storm drains, which discharge into many natural waterways and oceans."
Local News
Don’t leave leaves behind
Leroy Morse donates flags for cemetery plots purchased by VFW post
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In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
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Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
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Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
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Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
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Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
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