It is something of a miracle to see broccoli stems, orange peels, and fallen leaves change into dark, sweet-smelling earth. Composting—collecting organic materials and combining them in a manner that will encourage their breakdown—makes use of the natural process of decomposition to create a high-quality soil conditioner.
Organic material is different forms of living or dead plant and animal material. It is compost. Fallen leaves. Grass clippings. Woodchips. Sawdust. Manure. Kitchen scraps. It is the cornerstone of organic gardening and a universally recognized soil amendment. Above all, organic matter is food for the living organisms in the soil. And keeping soil critters well fed ensures that all the other qualities a gardener seeks in soil will gradually increase. Adding organic matter ensures that soil will have:
- good structure
- sufficient water retention
- proper drainage
- nutrient supply and cycling
- disease resistance
Your own homegrown compost is a slow-release fertilizer. When you distribute it in your garden, you are amending the soil—and, ultimately, increasing its nutrient content and its nutrient-holding and nutrient-cycling capacity.
Start composting and start building healthy soil! Learn how to build your own bin.
StopWaste.Org ‘s Bay-Friendly Gardening program of Alameda County is no longer subsidizing the price of backyard compost and worm bins. StopWaste.Org has been subsidizing the sale of compost and worm bins in Alameda County since 1994 to promote backyard composting. During that time over 73,000 compost and worm bins have been sold and donated to Alameda County residents, schools and other organizations, diverting an estimated 110,000 tons of yard debris and food waste. Over 21% of Alameda County households are estimated to have purchased compost and worm bins. Due to budget reductions and changing agency priorities, this subsidy program is no longer being offered.
The Bay-Friendly Gardening program will continue to offer composting how-to and gardening workshops. Information on how to build a compost or worm bin can be found here. Compost and worm bins are available for purchase at non-discount prices from the following sources*.
Please check back for updates.
*Please note that listings should not be construed as a recommendation or endorsement by StopWaste.Org, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, Source Reduction and Recycling Board or the Bay-Friendly Gardening Program. This information is provided as a public service to help conserve natural resources and to reduce the amount of materials sent to landfills. To have your business listed as a resource, please contact us at acwma@stopwaste.org or call us at 510-444-SOIL (7645).
The
irecycle@school Program helps school districts design, implement and sustain successful education and recycling programs. Teachers and informal educators can access FREE 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot/Compost) and Bay-Friendly School Garden educational services and resources.
