Garden: What to Do With Garden Waste
By Ruby Clancy
The GGG garden after summer - lots of overgrowth!
What to Do with Garden Waste: Sustainable Solutions
After spending hours in your garden, dealing with the aftermath—such as weeds, old soil, and organic matter—can feel overwhelming. After coming back to our GGG garden plot after a summer of unchecked growth (and growth, and more growth!), we were forced to do a major overhaul. The result? A massive pile of garden waste that needed somewhere to go.
What to do with all that waste depends on various factors, including the type of material and the resources available in your community. For example, many areas, like the city of Santa Barbara, offer garden waste collection services. In Santa Barbara, residents can sign up for a household yard waste container, making it easy to dispose of grass clippings, leaves, and plant matter that will eventually be turned into mulch.
But if you're looking for a cost-effective, sustainable option that you can do on your own, turning your garden waste into mulch is a great choice. This method not only reduces waste but also benefits your garden in the long run.
Turning Garden Waste into Mulch
Biomass materials like fallen leaves and old plant stems can be easily turned into mulch with just a few simple steps:
Cut and Shred: Using garden tools like shears and trimmers, cut old stems and stalks into pieces about an inch long. If you have fallen leaves, you can shred them using a lawnmower. Alternatively, for the best results, allow the leaves to dry out a bit before shredding them.
Apply the Mulch: Once your organic matter is processed, lay down the mulch at the base of your plants. This layer will help to suppress weeds, regulate temperature, and maintain moisture in the soil.
Composting
Another easy and sustainable way to deal with garden waste is composting. It’s a rewarding process that allows you to recycle organic material into nutrient-rich soil for your plants. Here’s how to give it a try:
Start a Compost Pile or Bin: You can either create a compost bin, which is often the most efficient option, or a compost pile.
Shred and Layer: Shred your garden waste to accelerate decomposition. Then, add water to each layer—enough to keep it moist but not soaking wet.
Turn the Pile: Make sure to turn your compost pile every few days to allow air in and facilitate the breakdown of organic material.
Use Your Finished Compost: Once your compost has broken down, it can be used in various ways:
Add it to potting soil for indoor plants.
Spread it around the base of fruit trees for added nourishment.
Use it to fill in dips and holes in your lawn.
Keep in mind:
What Not to Compost: Avoid composting food scraps, which can attract rodents, and diseased plants, which can deter earthworms (we want worms!).
As you can see, there are a variety of ways to handle garden waste that promote sustainability. Between local collection services to DIY mulch and composting, these methods will not only help you clean up your garden endeavors, but also contribute to the health of your plants. We hope you keep this in mind when visiting the GGG garden or working in your own outdoor space at home!
