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Tips for Composting Success

Turn landscape trimmings, fall leaves and kitchen scraps into a valuable soil additive for your garden.

It's as simple as putting it in a heap and letting it decompose. The more effort you put in, the quicker you'll have compost. 

Do compost disease- and insect-free plant debris, landscape trimmings, and plant based kitchen scraps in your compost pile.

Don't add meat, dairy, fat and bones that can attract rodents. Leave out invasive plants, perennial weeds and those gone to seed.

Start with an 8- to 10-inch layer of mixed plant debris, top with an inch of compost or garden soil and sprinkle on some organic fertilizer. Repeat until the pile is at least three feet tall and wide.

Contain the pile with a simple wire frame, mask it with plantings or hide it behind a fence or walled garden.

A bit more information: Mix finished compost into the soil of new gardens or existing ones you need to improve. Use compost when creating lasagna gardens or planting your straw bale garden. Spread a one-inch layer of compost over the soil in your perennial gardens every other year to keep them healthy and strong.

Upcoming
Events & Webinars

Mar. 18, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Patio, Deck and Balcony Gardens

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March 21 & 28, 2026
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
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March 24, 2026
SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater
Community Program

Racine, WI
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March 26, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Getting Started Growing Vegetable and Flower Gardens
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April 1, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Growing a Bountiful Harvest 
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April 9, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

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April 11, 2026
A Day in the Garden
Fond du Lac, WI
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April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
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April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
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April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL

April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space

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May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI

May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
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May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
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June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind

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Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Tree Planting and Care
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Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
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Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting

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