What to Do with Fall Leaves?
Piles of fallen leaves offer the perfect opportunity to create compost. Composting is the natural decomposition of organic materials into a fertile soil amendment. Composting is easy, fun and educational. If you start this fall, you will have nutrient-rich compost ready in time for planting your spring garden.

How Can I learn More About Composting?
Attend a two-hour free Compost Workshop offered by the Santa Clara County Home Composting Program. These workshops are held from January through October at the Rengstorff Community Center in Mountain View. Registration is required and can be made by visiting www.reducewaste.org or call 408-918-4640. The 2008 workshop dates are: January 19, February 16, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20 and October 18.

Where Can I Go For Free, Ready-To-Use Compost?
Mountain View residents may pick up free compost at the SMaRT Station seven days a week, which is located at 301 Carl Road at the intersection of Carribbean Drive and Borregas Avenue in Sunnyvale (408-752-8530).

Yard Trimmings Curbside Service
The residential curbside program for houses includes yard trimmings service. Please contact Foothill Disposal at 650-967-3034 to order a 64- or 96-gallon yard trimmings cart. The service is provided at no direct charge and is paid for through trash rates.

Bay-Friendly Gardens
The Bay-Friendly Gardening program was developed to encourage residents to make environmentally friendly gardening choices. It is not a particular style, but an approach. Bay-Friendly Gardeners work with nature to reduce waste and protect the watersheds of the San Francisco Bay. Visit www.bayfriendly.org for more information.