November 15 was America Recycles Day. While the word recycling may make you think of soda cans, plastic bottles, and electronics, remember that recycling can happen in your landscape as well.
Most people know that you can mulch your leaves and use them on your flower and garden beds to help soil retain heat and moisture. But pinecones, twigs, and branches can become rustic decor for your home. Instead of buying them in a craft or home decorating store, save money by collecting them during fall cleanup chores. Then, bring them inside in a number of ways:
Leave them as-is or spray paint them gold or silver for the holidays.
Make a wreath.
Add texture to an arrangement.
Place pinecones with trimmings from evergreen shrubs in an empty patio container.
If you have a wood-burning fire pit, fireplace or stove, make bundles of fire starters by wrapping twigs and pinecones with twine.
Whatever yard waste you can't reuse can then be composted to enrich your garden next year.
References
Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (2020, Nov. 20). Tip of the Week: Recycle yard debris. https://www.alcc.com/tip-of-the-week-email
Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (2019, Nov. 15). Tip of the Week: Recycle and repurpose. https://www.alcc.com/tip-of-the-week-email