Green Spot

Community Backyards Online Course

The online course is currently closed
We will reopen in April 2025


Community Backyards online course is currently closed. We close the program for the fall and winter in order to close out the year and reset for the following year. Until then, remember to follow these winter tips to keep your yard healthy year round. 



Fall Leaf Care

  • Leave the leaves in your yard, NOT your curb gutter or storm drain. Keep your storm drain and curb gutter free of leaves. This prevents the build up of leaves and excess nutrients in our stormwater pipes and our waterways. 
  • Leaving the leaves on your lawn and garden beds puts nutrients back into your soil as they break down, and they provide winter habitat for insects. 
  • Too many leaves? Can't leave them everywhere? Compost them! They are considered "browns" for your compost. 
  • NEVER throw your leaves in the trash. You can dispose of them via curbside yard waste collection or at a yard waste dropoff location. Find leaf disposal info and locations at RecycleRight.org


Rain Barrel Winter Prep

  • Disconnect the rain barrel from the gutter downspout. 
  • Empty barrel of all water. Make sure to drain the water from attached hoses as well. This will avoid any left over water from freezing and cracking the barrel.
  • Clean the inside of the barrel. Over time, the use of a rain barrel can collect deposits or residue that need to be cleaned in order to keep the barrel in its best condition. 
  • Store your rain barrel under roof cover like a shed or garage if possible. If you don’t have room, follow these tips to leave it outside: turn the barrel upside down, put a brick or block on top to keep it from blowing around, and cover with a tarp to prevent weather damage. 

Protect New Perennials & Trees 

  • Use mulch and/or your leaves as a protective barrier in your garden beds and around the base of your plants. No mulch volcanoes, please! 


Compost All Year 

  • Continue composting year-round! The breakdown process may slow down in the winter due to cooler temperatures, but you can continue to add things throughout the winter.