Scoop Up Some 'Black Gold' in Huntington Woods

Huntington Woods residents have a valuable tool at their disposal as the gardening season gets into full swing – "black gold."

That's right, compost – or, what Claire Galed of the  has playfully dubbed "black gold" – is available for free in the parking lot. All residents need to do is stop by and scoop up as much as they need.

"Sometimes the shovel walks away, but it usually comes back when someone gets home and realizes they've taken it with them," Galed said.

Compost is nutrient-rich organic matter that is beneficial for lawns and gardens. It is made from and then , one of the largest compost sites in the state. Noncooked vegetable scraps and logs also can be used to create the compost, said Galed, who added that it is not the same thing as dirt and should not be used as such.

"It is very porous and very rich," she said. "We encourage residents to mix it in (with planting soil) or use it as a top dressing (on lawns)."

The Huntington Woods compost pile will be refilled through the early part of October, but the compost is available year-round at the Rochester Hills SOCRRA site, Galed said.

Click here for more information on composting from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.