Backyard Composting

Abstract

The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program was created to help preserve, protect and conserve the state’s natural resources. The program teaches nine landscaping principles that educate Floridians on how to design, install, and maintain an attractive, healthy and environmentally-friendly landscape while saving time, energy, and money. These principles include: right plant–right place, water efficiently, fertilize appropriately, maximize mulch, attract wildlife, control yard pests responsibly, recycle, reduce stormwater runoff and protect the waterfront. The focus of this paper is to show how the current economy and renewed interest in home gardening has increased opportunities to teach Backyard Composting basics to Hillsborough County residents.