Earth-Kind®

Environmental Stewardship Programs for the Urban Landscape

Composting Yard Wastes

You may answer each question as many times as necessary to obtain the correct answer. You must answer ALL questions.Your progress will be tracked automatically.

It costs Texans approximately _____________ per year to collect and dispose of yard wastes
1. $2.5 million
2. $25 million
3. $250 million
4. $2.5 billion
The rich, dark-brown, crumbly, soil-like material that results as organic materials break down or decompose is called ______________.
1. Mulch
2. Humus
3. Compost
4. Soil conditioner
Organic wastes put back into the landscape in the form of compost can assist in _____________.
1. Reducing fertilizer applications
2. Conserve water
3. Decreasing yard wastes
4. All of the above
_________________ do most of the work of breaking down organic materials to form compost.
1. Grinders
2. Sieves
3. Microorganisms
4. Bacteria
_______________ is an example of a soil animal that helps change organic waste into compost.
1. A worm
2. A pill bug
3. Fungi
4. A & B
The microorganisms and soil animals that turn organic matter into compost require many of the same nutrients that plants need for growth - particularly _____________________.
1. Nitrogen
2. Phosphorus
3. Potassium
4. All of the above
Compost can be used as a ________________.
1. Mulch
2. Soil conditioner
3. Fertilizer
4. All of the above
Compost provides an almost constant source of _____________.
1. Plant nutrients
2. Pest control
3. Soil moisture
4. All of the above
Compost help plants grow by providing improved _____________.
1. Aeration
2. Drainage
3. Water holding capacity
4. All of the above
The composition of compost also improves the soils ability to ______________which can reduce the frequency of landscape irrigation.
1. Shed water
2. Hold water
3. Drain
4. Aerate