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Disposal of animal mortality and byproducts

For many Oregon livestock owners struggling with the disposal of animal mortality and byproducts, rendering is not a viable option. Alternatives include natural disposal, burying, landfills, incineration, and composting. Learn the ...

Michael Gamroth | Sep 2006 | Article

Walnut leaves: Safe for composting?

Q: We have a large walnut tree and would like to compost the leaves for our vegetable garden. I have read conflicting reports about the ability of composting to break down the toxin juglone. Is it safe to compost these leaves?

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Composting - should I turn, cover or both?

Q: Hello, I am a home gardener that recently set up a simple three-sided compost bin made out of wood pallets. I have been putting in my leaf debris, grass clippings, chicken feathers, and home fruit/vegetable scraps. I was ...

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Grass clippings too toxic to compost?

Q: Once or twice a summer I treat my lawn with weed & feed and spray on weed killer for lawns. Is it safe to use compost made from the lawn clippings? How long should I reasonably wait to use clippings for compost, and is it safe to use the compost in my veggie garden the following summer?

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Can I use vinegar to kill dandelions in my grass so that the clippings are safe to compost?

Q: I'm composting on site and wondering how concerned I should be about adding the grass clippings. Is there a weed killer that I could use that is safe to compost for a food garden? I’ve been looking into a vinegar/dish soap mix.

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Is vinegar effective for killing weeds?

Q: What do you recommend for keeping weeds at bay in planting beds? We'd like to stop using Round-Up. Our beds are too big and the weeds are too numerous to be able to keep up mechanically. Would a vinegar solution be harmful to the soil?

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Recycling 101- Composting

A short video introduction to composting.

Jul 2012 | Video

Can I put barbecue ash in my compost or worm bin?

Q: I barbecue a lot, and wind up having to dispose of ash leftover from hardwood charcoal (no “briquettes”). Can I put it in my compost and or worm bin? How about on my vegetable garden or flowerbeds?

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How can I turn my garden into compost?

Q: After pulling out plants from summer garden what procedure is necessary for prepping them for my compost pile. Also can I use stems and limbs in the pile. I do not have a shredder yet. Not sure I need to buy one.

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Organic No-Till Gardening Comic Book

Polk County Master Gardeners (PCMG) who volunteer at the Brunk House to build and tend raised no-till organic vegetable gardens, known as Lasagna or Sheet gardens, developed this comic book to help guide trainees and refresh the memories of the experienced master gardeners.

Sherri Moran (Artist), Carol Manka (Text) | Jun 2010 | Educational document