The Regional District has teamed up with the City of Penticton to promote water conservation in a sustainable and chemical free manner. The concept is not new but the South Okanagan program is the first of its kind in the Interior of BC. A total of 1,700 tonnes of compost has been given away to over 150 residents of Penticton and throughout the Regional District.

Residents registered for the program in October. Since the first week of November local trucking companies and residents have been busy picking up loads. Home owners then rake in compost in a thin layer across their lawns. Winter snow and rain then incorporate the material into the soil by spring.

Soil scientists advocate the application of a thin layer of compost as top-dressing to lawns and anywhere turf grass is planted. An application of compost late in the year helps to rejuvenate turf. It also eliminates thatch, dry dead grass, by dissolving it into the soil. Nutrients are then slowly released over the winter and early spring. The grass is healthier, water is held in the soils better and the grass stays greener longer in the hot weather. Homeowners use less water to stay green!

November is an ideal time to over-seed the lawn with grass seed.