October 8, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 35 Eco-friendly yard work can save energy & money Autumn marks the time to transition from the hot days of summer to the chilly weather of winter. As people remove sweaters and long pants from storage, cleaning up their yards may also be on their minds. Fall is a season of beautiful foliage, but once that magical color show is over, thou- sands of leaves have fallen to the ground, necessitating a few weekends worth of yard work. Some homeowners may be on the lookout for environmentally friendly ways to handle autumn yard work, and thankfully there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to tackle such tasks. The tallest task with regard to fall yard work is collecting the leaves. Some homeowners prefer to wait until all of the leaves have fallen before starting the collection process, while others handle the task in stages to make it more man- ageable. Regardless of the timing of this task, skip the noisy gas- or electric-pow- ered leaf blower in favor of a reliable rake. Raking not only collects the leaves, but also helps men and women burn calories while ensuring they are not creating any noise or air pollution. Invest in a durable, ergonomic rake to get the job done quickly and without injury. Innovators are constantly reinventing the rake, and now there are designs that do not trap leaves, saving homeowners from the time-consuming tasks of cleaning the rake’s teeth. Rake on a calm day so the wind will not thwart your efforts. When it comes time to bag the leaves, use biodegradable paper bags or look for mesh-like bags that are made from corn- starch. These are more eco-friendly than plastic bags, which can take much longer to decompose. It is not necessary to dispose of all the leaves. Shred some to use as mulch, which can prevent soil erosion during the winter. Some leaves can be added to compost piles or used as a soil amendment in plant- ing beds. Autumn is an ideal time of year to get started on building a compost bin. Take advantage of the cooler temperatures to make outdoor work more comfortable. According to the Audubon Society, American yards generate two tons of clip- pings each year. A lot of that waste ends up being bagged and hauled away. As an alternative, consider composting leaves and grass trimmings to use as valuable fer- tilizer come the spring planting season. When choosing a location for compost bins, be sure to place them a good distance away from the house but near enough to the garden beds. Most yard waste and food debris can be added to the compost pile. Just avoid animal products, which can produce harmful bacteria. Keep the compost damp and turn it periodically to facilitate the decomposition process. Soak finished compost in water to create compost tea. This liquid mixture can be sprayed on lawns in the fall to give the yard a nutrient boost that promotes healthy growth when the warmer weather returns. Eco-friendly lawn care can save energy, money, and natural resources.