May 10:
Chemical-Free Gardening & Compost Bin Sale

press release from Westchester County

(May 8, 2003) County Executive Andy Spano is urging residents to help keep Westchester’s water clean by learning how to garden without using chemicals and pesticides. This Saturday, May 10 (rain or shine) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the county will be conducting its yearly Home Compost Bin Sale at Saxon Woods Pool and Park in White Plains. At the sale, residents can take home free compost as well as free professional advice on the care and maintenance of the lawn and garden from master gardeners and horticulturists of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County.

“ Bring your lawn and gardening problems to the experts,” Spano said. “Throughout the day, the bin sale will feature how-to sessions and a question-and-answer booth for home gardeners to learn how make compost in their own yard, use compost as mulch, and maintain a lawn and garden with non-toxic or the least toxic pesticide alternatives available. To give our local home gardeners a start, we have arranged for compost bins to be sold at wholesale prices at this once-a-year event.”

Two types of composting bins will be available: a $15 bin suitable for gardeners looking to compost mostly grass clippings and leaves; and a $35 bin that can be anchored to the ground, comes with a lid and is recommended for gardeners interested in adding organic food waste to the compost. Other composting equipment for sale includes kitchen scrap buckets, aerators and more. People who reserve a bin in advance of the May 10 sale will receive a free kitchen scrap bucket with a retail value of $2.

To reserve a bin and for more information, call the Westchester County Recycling Hotline at (914) 813-5420 or visit the county website at www.westchestergov.com, and under ‘environment’ look up ‘recycling.’ This event is sponsored by the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities/Recycling Office, the League of Women Voters of Westchester and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County, in cooperation with the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation.

Directions to Saxon Woods: Hutchinson River Parkway to Mamaroneck Avenue/White Plains (exit 23N). Bear right onto Mamaroneck Avenue and stay to the left. Enter the pool entrance on the left.