ROCKPORT —  Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), in cooperation with Maine Resource and Recovery Association, is again offering local residents the opportunity to improve soil and conserve water right in their own backyards at deep discount prices! It's easy with the tried-and-true 80-gallon Earth Machine backyard composter and the 55-gallon sYstern rain barrel. Both are made of recycled materials, designed to fit into any landscape, and are offered at wholesale prices. The Earth Machine composter has an "in at the top/out at the bottom" design and a 10-year warranty. The sYstern rain barrel fits under a downspout to take advantage of roof run-off for garden watering and has built-in mosquito mesh and overflow capability.

This year we also are offering tripwire bins made by Brooks Trap Mill in Thomaston in two sizes – 4-ft (one cubic yard capacity), and for the shorter folks, 3-ft (¾ cubic yard). These large bins, made of coated lobster trap wire, are perfect for yard debris and have the seal of approval from some of Maine's top composting experts.

To make it even easier to convert kitchen scraps into soil, we also have accessories: a 2-gallon Sure Close kitchen scrap pail with vented, locking lid that keeps odors in and flies out; Wingdigger compost aerator and turner to mix compost layers and decrease compaction without straining your back; and the REOtemp compost thermometer with a 20" stem to monitor interior temperatures and turn anyone into a serious composting enthusiast! Prices for all items are well below suggested retail.

Backyard Composting items will be on display at the Knox-Lincoln SWCD office at 893 West St (Rt 90) in Rockport and at the Spring Plant Sale at Union Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 5 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Sunday, May 6 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Order online or download an order form at www.knox-lincoln.org/backyard-sale and send with check by May 4, or place your order at the Spring Plant Sale. Pickup for composting items will be in early June at the District office.

For more information or to request an order form by mail, contact Knox-Lincoln SWCD at (207) 596-2040 or info@knox-lincoln.org.

Caption (all items): All composting supplies and rain barrels are available for pre-order only. Get one of each and be ready to conserve precious water and turn garden waste and food scraps into healthy soil!