If you have a yard that generates green waste, you probably have the right ingredients and enough room to set up your own compost bin.

Composting is easy, cheap, cuts down your garbage by hundreds of pounds each year and creates an incredibly effective mixture to improve your soil.

Remember! Don't place your compost area next to a wetland, pond, lake or creek. The nutrients that run off can promote growth of aquatic weeds and algae.

For great composting info, visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's website.

Follow these snow/ice removal best practices for reducing your winter salt use:

• Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

To promote and incentivize improved water efficiency, the City of Minnetonka offers a rebate program to residents and businesses that install more efficient irrigation equipment.

Pet waste left in the environment does not simply disappear. Rainfall and spring snowmelt wash dog poop off lawns and sidewalks directly into the nearest body of water. Waste left on the ice sinks right into lakes, creeks and wetlands. Once in our water, the bacteria and parasites found in pet waste pose a threat to the health of people and wildlife. For the love of all things aquatic ... please pick up after your dog.

A rain garden is a planted low area that allows rainwater runoff to soak in from hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, walkways and parking lots. The University of Minnesota has excellent resources for planting your own rain garden.

• Direct downspouts toward your lawn, trees, shrubs or other vegetation, rather than down your driveway. This slows the water and allows it to be absorbed into the soil. Avoid redirecting runoff towards adjacent properties or your home.
• Keep paved surfaces clean and maintain vehicles to prevent contaminants from washing into the street. Avoid applying fertilizers and herbicides to your lawn just before it rains.
• Roadways often serve as collection points for runoff, and any material that washes into the street is passed downstream. Rather than blowing grass clippings and leaves into the street, direct them back onto your lawn or bag them for composting.
• Adopt a drain. (And pledge to keep it clean.)

In Minnetonka, residential water use triples in the summer, mostly due to outdoor irrigation. Overuse is expensive and reduces our community’s longer-term water supply.

Follow these tips to reduce your water use, help our environment and lower your water bill.

• Don’t over-water. Most plants and trees only need one inch of water per week from a combination of rain and irrigation.
• Inspect your sprinkler system annually to ensure it’s working and programmed properly.
• Ensure sprinklers point toward planted areas, not hard surfaces.
• Identify over-watered areas and adjust your system accordingly.
• Install WaterSense-certified sprinkler heads and/or smart controllers and apply for a rebate from the city. WaterSense products are EPA-certified, high-performing products that use at least 20 percent less water.
• Add a rain or moisture sensor to override your smart controller when irrigation isn’t needed.
• Replace or repair old, damaged or inefficient sprinkler heads.
• Use plants that are adapted to our local climate; they often need less water.