An abundance of brown plant material has been provided by the January freeze.  Creating a space in the landscape to store and hold this material for composting can serve as an asset for homeowners. 

Set up an empty, collapsible compost bin in a corner of your yard.  As the weather warms and new growth begins to emerge from the root system of perennial plants, the frozen brown plant material can be trimmed from the plant. Store the material in the holding bin for future use when adding layers of green and brown plant material to the active compost bin in your yard.

Many types of brown plant material are now available in the landscape including frozen tropical plants (philodendron, banana, gingers);  stalks and stems of perennial plants;  twigs and branches from frozen shrubs and bushes;  frozen annuals in container plantings and many other options.

Join the Montgomery County Master Gardeners on Saturday, March 4, 2017, to learn more about backyard composting.  A free program of The Woodlands Environmental Services Department, the Compost Class will begin at 10 a.m. and will be held at 8203 Millennium Forest, The Woodlands 77381.  Participants receive a complimentary kitchen scrap bucket, research-based composting information and an opportunity to win a free compost bin.  High quality collapsible compost bins are offered for purchase at a reduced price.