Autumn is the time to finish preparing your garden and planting beds for the next growing season. The University of Massachusetts Extension Office suggests using organic soil amendments and mulches to restore available nutrients and protect against temperature changes and disease: http://extension.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/fall-maintenance-practices-landscapes (check out this link for a more detailed list of the wide variety of materials that make great mulch: http://extension.umd.edu/publications/PDFs/FS553.pdf). Interested in creating your own compost at home? The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has a downloadable brochure on steps to start your own composting (http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/compos01.htm) – now is the time to start planning for composting as you’ll want to save some leaves that will start falling soon.

In an effort to close the organics loop locally, the Framingham Solid Waste Management Division recycles yard waste that is collected curbside or brought to the Dudley Road Yard Waste facility.

Residents are asked to separate yard waste because materials are managed differently; vegetative yard waste (leaves, grass, plant waste, flowers) is recycled into compost, and wood-based yard waste (branches, shrubs, twigs, even Christmas trees) is double-ground into wood mulch. No chemicals, fertilizers, or colorings are added; just natural, dark compost and mulch are produced. Check out the photos or better yet, stop by the Recycling Center at 255 Mt. Wayte Avenue to see it for yourself!

Have some yard waste to recycle? The Dudley Road Yard Waste facility is currently open Friday and Saturday, 8am - 3pm, and Sunday, 11am-3pm (permit required). Curbside yard waste collections will start later in October - download the calendar: http://www.framinghamma.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=5026. 

Questions on the Town’s yard waste recycling programs? Contact the Solid Waste Management Division at 508-532-6001 or recycling@framinghamma.gov.