Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30% of what we throw away, and could be composted instead. Composting enriches soil, helps retain moisture, and suppresses plant diseases and pests. Composting also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi, and reduces methane emissions from landfills lowering your carbon footprint.
Green/Wet Materials (Nitrogen)
Fruit and veggie scraps
Green leaves
Grass clippings
Coffee grounds and filters
Eggshells
Brown/Dry Materials (Carbon)
Dead leaves and twigs
Wood shavings or sawdust
Shredded newspaper
Hay and straw
Don't forget to add water as necessary!
Leftover meat, bones, or animal fat
Pet droppings
Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
Coal or charcoal ash
Dairy products
Plants with diseases
Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
Mulching is a practice that involves spreading a layer of material on the ground around plants to protect their roots from heat, cold, or drought. The use of mulch is vital in Texas. A layer of mulch allows the soil to soak up more water. It also reduces the rate of water loss from the soil. A layer of mulch, especially in sloping gardens, helps prevent erosion. Mulching also prevents raindrops from splashing on the soil surface and reduce the spread of diseases.
Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rain for reuse, rather than letting the water run off and be absorbed into the ground or channeled into drains, streams, or rivers. It is one of the easiest ways to conserve water at home while also lowering your bills. Rainwater has a nearly neutral pH, and is free from disinfection by-products, salts, minerals, and other natural and man-made contaminants. Plants thrive under irrigation with stored rainwater.
Composting
The Many Benefits of Composting
Can you put these unusual items in a compost pile?
7 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Composting
Resolving Common Compost Issues
Composting: Nature’s Way of Recycling
Experiment with Composting and Learn about Food Waste
Compost: A Scientific Investigation
A Science Notebook Story: Investigating Compost
Now You See Them, Now You Don’t
How to Compost for Indoor Gardening – Composting 101
Mulching
Cooler Temperatures and Fall Leaves Are Perfect for Mulching
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Easy Gardening: Mulching
Rainwater Harvesting
Is Rainwater Harvesting Illegal in Texas?
The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting
Take Care of Texas - How to Build a Rain Barrel
23 Awesome DIY Rainwater Harvesting Systems You Can Build at Home
How to Keep Pesky Mosquitos out of Your Rain Barrel
7 Mistakes to avoid when collecting rainwater for your garden