CORVALLIS — As leaves fall and yard debris bins fill up, it’s a great time to consider composting instead of hauling away those valuable resources.

Compost is one of the best ways to build healthy soil. It’s free, nutrient-rich and environmentally friendly. Yard trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, garden refuse — even certain kitchen scraps — can all be turned into compost. Over time, these materials break down and return to the soil, enriching it with organic matter and nutrients.

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The one-third method

For beginners, try the easy one-third system of composting:

One-third carbon materia

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