Compost IS Recycling!

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	May, 2005	Return to newsletter index

You may not realize it but even mowing the lawn is recycling!
GRASS-CYCLING: is recycling grass clippings by leaving them on your lawn instead of raking them up for disposal. By grass cycling, you can:

Cut Down on Mowing Time

Spend Less Money

Reduce Waste Any mower can recycle grass clippings. Just remove the grass catcher. Mulching mowers produce finer clippings.

Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade in one mowing. Keep grass mowed to 2" in early spring. Gradually raise the mower's cutting height to 3"-4" by summer then gradually lower it to 2" by fall.

Mow when the grass is dry.

Keep your mower blade sharp. Dull mowers tear the grass blade; this injury gives the turf a brownish cast.

Mow over the clippings a second time if the grass gets too high. This will further shred the clippings.

To prevent excess growth between clippings, raise the mower height, mow, then gradually lower it over several mowings. This will also reduce shock to the plants from cutting too much at once.

DID YOU KNOW:
that a 40 by 100 foot lawn produces about 1,200 pounds - nearly 50 bags - of grass clippings each year? Think of the time, money, and effort it takes to bag all those clippings. Why go through all that hassle with it's not necessary?

START GRASS-CYCLING NOW!
It's simple. Just leave the grass clippings on the lawn to decompose. The clippings are a natural organic fertilizer. Your lawn can remain healthy because each time you mow, you return valuable nutrients and moisture to the soil.

LEAVES:
Do not put leaves in your garbage cart or recycling bin/cart. Compost them, leave on your yard (after shredding with lawnmower), or take to the Transfer Station, free of charge! During the city's autumn leaf collection in mid-November 2005 we will have a new way of picking up leaves! We have purchased bio-degradable bags that will be mandatory for pick up. Please do not rake leaves at the curb or in the City's right of way culvert ditch areas. Leaves clog our drain systems and can cause traffic hazards as well as even cause water to back up into your basement. More information can be obtained about the bio-degradable bags by calling Sarah Wojcoski at 282-1552.

Remember, while the task may be no day in the park, there are plenty of ways to make raking less taxing. Spread your work out and enlist help. Raking leaves with the family can lead to some wonderful romps in the piles for the kids. Or, enlist some of the neighborhood teenagers to aid in the chore. They'll enjoy earning some extra cash, and you can earn some extra free time!