Free Community Resources
Here is a list of untapped or under-utilized resources, available in most communities, which can be used for farming, gardening, or beautification.
Best Option! Now this will surprise most people, and may even bother others, but there is an organic fertilizer that is nearly as complete as any commercial fertilizer, is absolutely abundant, and using it actually helps protect the environment. Read about it here . . .if you dare!
Wood Chips: Tree trimmers produce vast amounts of wood chips and are often looking for a convenient place to dispose of them. Chips with a high leaf content break down quicker and turn dark faster. Chips without leaves are ideal for playgrounds.
You need to call all of the tree trimmers in your area and find out where they dump their chips and provide a place if you can.
Horse manure: "But I live in the city!" Many larger cities have police horse patrols, and carriage companies that offer romantic rides. Both of these produce a surprising amount of manure which is expensive for them to dispose of. County fairgrounds are an ideal source and they are often paying thousands of $$$ to have their manure hauled away.
Leaves: Whether you pick up bags of leaves left on the curb, or are able to have access to composted leaves your city has collected, leaves are always an abundant and valuable resource. You could take your kids to rake the leaves for an elderly person in your neighborhood or church, or do it as a money making project, but either way, the leaves can add to your reward.
Grass Clippings: Like leaves, grass clippings are often overlooked and wasted. Do not fear the lawn chemicals. There is little a good composting can't overcome, and if there is legitimate cause for concern, use the material someplace to suppress weeds from growing where chemical residue would not be a concern.
Coffee Grounds: These can be collected from any establishment that is willing to save them for you. Not just Starbucks, and restuarant that serves coffee may have some for you.
Hair Clippings: Human hair is high in nutrients and will compost if spread thin. It is best saved for "hot" piles and used in flower beds if added chemicals is a concern. Ask you local salon if they will save these for you.
Produce Waste: This is a more delicate issue, but I want people to be aware of it because the obstacles can be overcome. Any place that processes, serves, or sells produce will have an amazingly large steady supply of waste. The caution is that produce waste can be very messy and smelly and there are strict controls on how it may be disposed of. But like I said, for the motivated party that wants to capitalize on this nutrient rich source of material, there are ways to handle it effectively and legally.
Others: If available, there are many invasive fish that do harm to our natural waters. Catching and taking these out helps improve our fisheries, while providing one of the best fertilzers you can use. If you have a local brewery, spent hops are an excellent material. Even non recycleable paper products such as the paper towels colleected in public restrooms can be composted into an excellent soil conditioner.
These are two separate piles of horse manure at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Even though this valuable resource is made free to the public (available 24/7), over $4000 was being spent each year to haul away what wasn't taken.
Here is a small portion of the wood chips that I had diverted from leaving our county.
Don't like the look of natural wood chips? Then put down two to three inches of these and top with a thin layer of your favorite, more expensive mulch.
