THE DIRT

Tell your family, tell your friends, we want your pumpkins after Halloween ends! When the Halloween celebrations have concluded, and the trick-or-treaters have run your candy stash dry, it is time to start thinking about what to do with your festive décor. After receiving comments from area residents, the SMSC…
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Most people are aware that composting is a good thing to do, but not as many people know why that is. Let’s explore the benefits of composting. Before diving into the benefits, let’s start by defining compost: Compost is organic material that decomposes into a rich soil amendment. Anything organic…
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How’s your yard looking these days? Do you have a buildup of yard waste slowly but surely taking over? If neighbor Sue’s yard is looking pristine and you’re ready to show her what you’ve got, it’s time to take action! Grab your spouse, kids, friends… heck, even recruit neighbor Sue…
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Looking to reduce your carbon footprint? Composting is a simple and effective way to do so! From decreasing landfill waste to improving air quality, it’s clear that composting provides a variety of environmental benefits. So, how can you determine what items will make for successful composting? Simply put, anything that…
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To mulch or not to mulch? That is the question! For those who love to garden, it’s time to roll up those sleeves and get your hands dirty with some good, old-fashioned summer gardening tips. Spoil your soil. Nothing will hinder plant growth more than poor soil—in order for your…
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While composting provides a variety benefits to the environment, the process of making compost can sometimes release unpleasant odors. These odors are a mix of dilute, invisible, gaseous compounds that can range from virtually unnoticeable to strong depending on feedstocks and management. Though the odors can sometimes be unpleasant, they…
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Preparing your lawn for spring is much simpler than you might think! Most of these tasks are a one-time, if-needed application. Other than that, you don’t have to do much. Here is a simple guide to giving your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive this spring: 1. CLEAN Use…
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Vermicomposting, or worm composting, is the biological breakdown of organic wastes through specialized earthworms and microorganisms. Worms eat and digest kitchen scraps and other types of organic matter, leaving behind vermicompost. This is a combination of digestion by the worms as well as decomposition that occurs after the material is…
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