County to Offer Free Compost to Residents Looking to Enhance Their Gardens This Spring
April 27, 2012
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive, 608.267.8823 or cell, 608.843.8858
With flowers already in bloom and citizens starting their gardens earlier this year, Dane County will be offering free compost to all county residents, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today.
From May 7th – May 12th, 2012 the county will provide up to 2 cubic yards of compost per vehicle free of charge. Additional quantities are available at the normal rate of $10 per cubic yard. Loading of open top vehicles will also be provided at no charge. The volume of compost available is limited to the in-stock quantity. Compost will be available after May 12th at the normal rate.
“Dane County is a national leader in protecting our environment by turning refuse into something people can use – from electricity to fuel for county vehicles,” said Parisi. “Citizens who have been dropping yard and garden waste are helping prevent phosphorus pollution in our lakes. Now they can return and grab some great garden compost for their gardens.”
The offer is in conjunction with the US Composting Council’s International Composting Awareness Week. Compost is the end product of the decomposition of organic matter. Compost is considered a soil amendment or conditioner rather than a fertilizer. Compost can improve soil structure, enhance moisture retention, aid in necessary microbial activity, and suppress soil born diseases.
Dane County operates two compost sites that produce and provide compost to the public. One site is located in Verona within the Badger Prairie Park complex, open Monday though Saturday from 8:00am to 3:30pm.
The second compost site is located on Hwy 19 adjacent to the Dane County Law Enforcement Training Center east of Waunakee, open from 8:00am to 3:30pm Monday – Friday, and 7:00am to 11:00am on Saturday.
The County compost sites accept yard waste, including leaves, grass clippings, and garden waste. Finished compost is run through a screen plant to remove all material greater than ½” in size before being sold. Additional information can be found at http://www.countyofdane.com/pwht/recycle/compost_sites.aspx.
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