- Compost it
Composting leaves and grass clippings at home is a great way to turn yard waste into a valuable and free soil amendment. It not only adds nutrients to the soil, but it also improves soil structure and water holding capacity. Composting is a simple process, and maintenance depends on how fast you want results and the effort you are willing to invest. For example, you don't have to turn a compost pile, but if you do it speeds up the process. For in-depth details on composting, get a copy of Start Composting Today by calling DNREC at 302-739-9403 or by downloading a PDF version.

- Take it to a drop-ff site
Take your yard waste to Drop-off sites located throughout the New Castle County. Some sites require a fee and some are free.
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- Have someone take it for you
Contact your local landscape company or waste hauler and have them collect your yard waste.
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- Leave the clippings on the lawn
Mowing regularly and cutting no more than 1/3rd of the grass height is not only necessary to maintain a quality turf/lawn, but also allows clippings to remain on the lawn. These clippings do not contribute to thatch and provide the nitrogen (fertilizer) the lawn needs. Chop the grass leaves even smaller to speed up decomposition by using a mulching mower or purchasing a mulching conversion kit (at local lawn mower dealers) for traditional mowers.

- Reduce lawn size
Reduce lawn size by building or extending garden beds, creating less area to mow and fewer clippings to collect. Use native plants to fill areas instead of lawn. Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera), and golden ragwort (Senecio aureus)* make good ground covers. Consider making a portion of your property a mini-meadow. Not only is mowing frequency decreased, but it is great wildlife habitat.

- Be creative
Use branches and sticks to create brush piles for wildlife or to build trellises and arbores. Split the cost of a wood chipper with friends or a homeowners association for more free mulch. Remember 2-3" is proper mulch depth for healthy plants. For future or replacement plantings, plant shrubs that don't grow large to reduce trimming needs. A small shrub that grows 3-5 ft. with beautiful flowers and stunning fall color is Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica)*.

- Mulch with tree leaves
Collect the leaves for use as mulch. Apply them immediately or wait until spring. Save space and speed up leaf decomposition by collecting and chopping leaves with a lawn mower or leaf blower with a reverse setting to chop leaves. Many leaf blower/vacs have at least a 1:16 ratio, meaning 1 chopped bag to every 16 unchopped bags.

- Get additional garden suggestions
The Delaware Nature Society's Backyard Wildlife Habitatª Program can help you garden more environmentally friendly and attract beautiful birds and butterflies at the same time. Society trained Habitat Steward volunteers can consult with you and give free advice on improving your home landscape.