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Don’t toss it in the can, man

The beginner’s guide to composting in Tampa Bay

A heap of tomatoes and vegetation in a dark brown wooden bin outside.

One person’s organic trash is another’s compost treasure. | Photo by Eva Bronzini via Pexels

Ready to begin composting? We’ve got the dirt on how to get started, plus the best compost bin for your needs.

What is composting?

Composting is the process of decomposing organic matter — like leaves, food scraps, and yard trimmings. You reap what you sow: The result is a dark, nutrient-heavy material, like soil, that you can use to enrich your lawn or garden.

How do you get started?

Find a dry and shady spot in your backyard to build your compost pile. Be patient — composting can take several months.

If you don’t want a pile of decomposing waste in your backyard, try a compost bin. Here’s some options we’ve bin eyeing:

For beginners | Try it out before you commit. This bin is easy to clean and is perfect for collecting scraps on your counter.
For style icons | Composting, but make it cute. Just don’t mistake this odor-free bin for your cookie jar.
For the serious gardener | This 43-gallon container rotates — no more mixing compost by hand — and has two chambers so you can add fresh waste while the older batch finishes up.
For the landscaper | If you plan to compost mostly yard waste, this open-top bin is a good alternative to a pile.

Pro tip: Both St. Petersburg and Tampa offer free composting bins to residents. Registration for the Pinellas program opens tomorrow, April 22. Both cities require you to take a composting workshop to receive the bin.

Can you compost without a backyard?

If you’re an apartment-dweller or simply don’t have the backyard space, you might want to give worm composting a try. Simply purchase a special bin and some worms, and let your new squirmy pets feast on your scraps.

You can also use a valet composting service. Collect your scraps and Suncoast Compost will pick them up and return them as nitrogen-rich compost.

What can't you compost?

Events

Today, April 21

Youth Earth Day Hike | Friday, Apr. 21 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs | Free | Expose kids to Florida’s natural beauty on this leisurely hike along the Ed Center Trail — geared toward ages six to 12.
Tampa Bay Taco Week | Friday, April 21-Sunday, April 30 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Across Tampa Bay, 633 N. Franklin St., Ste. 735, Tampa | Free | Enjoy taco and drink specials at Gallito Tacqueria, Datz, Jimmy’s Tacos, and more local spots — just ask for the Taco Week special.
98 Rockfest | Friday, Apr. 21 | 6 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $25-$55 | Rock out to performances by Breaking Benjamin, Falling in Reverse, The Pretty Reckless, Beartooth — VIP options available.
Pier 60 Sand Festival | Friday, Apr. 21, Sunday, Apr. 23 | Clearwater Beach, 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater | $0-$70 | Check out a 21,000-sqft sand structure and tons of other works of sandspiration.

Saturday, April 22

Earth Week 2023 Series: Earth Day Cleanup | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 8-11 a.m. | Tangerine Plaza, 1780 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | Lend a helping hand in beautifying the shopping plaza’s grounds — bring your own refillable water bottle.
Booze & Boutiques | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 12-5 p.m. | Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $50-$1,500 | Sip on specialty cocktails and score 20% at participating boutiques, all in support of the Children’s Dream Fund.
Lightning Plaza Party On Ford Thunder Alley | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $5 | Pregame the first home game of round one of the playoffs and stick around to watch the action with other Bolts fans — standard-size tailgate chairs are allowed.
Earth Week 2023 Series: DIY Native-Plant Garden | Saturday, Apr. 22 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg | Free | Learn which plants thrive and grow strong in the hot Florida sun + make your own container garden.

Sunday, April 23

Spotlight Sunday with Jessica Santander | Sunday, Apr. 23 | 1-5 p.m. | Procure by The Women’s Creative Tampa, 734 S. Village Cir. Ste. F 734, Tampa | $35 | Craft your own jewelry dish at Hyde Park Village’s new spot, Procure.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Playoffs

The Lightning fell in game two against the Maple Leafs last night. The best-of-seven series is now tied 1-1. The teams take the ice in Tampa Saturday night for our first home faceoff of the series.

Community

Still looking for ways to give back on Earth Day? St. Pete’s zero waste shop, Sans Market, is hosting a cleanup on Saturday, April 22. Meet at the shop (1037 Central Ave.) for a cup of Kahwa coffee and help pick up trash off city streets until noon. (I Love the Burg)

Film

St. Pete’s Sunscreen Film Festival takes over the AMC Sundial 12 next week. The festival runs from Thursday, April 27-Sunday, April 30 + includes a “dogumentary” among other films, workshops, and casting calls. Buy tickets. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Arts

Calling all art aficionados. Head to the intersection of Cass and Tyler streets from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. today to watch artists + volunteers complete a colorful street mural at the busy thoroughfare. The new art is part of the Riverwalk’s massive expansion. (That’s So Tampa)
Wanna head down to the record store? Tampa’s Daddy Kool is hosting musical acts, food trucks, and fun all Saturday, April 22 long for National Record Day. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Announced

Clearwater’s soon-to-open outdoor amphitheater, The Sound, will operate with the environment in mind. The Ruth Eckerd Hall venue will adopt sustainable practices like using reusable containers and 100 solar panels, and avoiding confetti showers and plastics. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Award

Cowboy hats off to the Florida Strawberry Festival. The Tampa Bay tradition earned a nomination for “the Fair/Rodeo of the Year” from the Academy of Country Music Awards. (Tampa Bay Times)

Eat

Offline is launching this month in Tampa Bay, which means stellar restaurant recommendations are coming our way. Get matched with highly rated, locally-owned restaurants — and then get money towards the tab. Sign up for one of the 100 guaranteed spots for TBAYtoday readers using code TBTODAY.

Holiday

Domani è la Giornata Mondiale della Terra. Questa giornata ufficiale è stata istituita nel 1970 da un senatore degli Stati Uniti, testimone diretto di una drammatica contaminazione da petrolio. Oggi viene celebrata da più di un miliardo di persone in 193 Paesi diversi. Translate this news with Babbel (currently offering 55% off lessons) in The Wrap at the bottom of our newsletter.*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Shop

We’re firm believers in spoiling the ones we love — especially our pets. That’s why we’re adding these two things to our shopping carts: this customizable velvet collar and this durable bed that features a removable slipcover. Don’t forget the treats. We love these soft chews for doggos and these freeze dried snacks for cats.
Celebrate Earth Day by supporting some of our Six & Main brands. Rainier Watch, a business inspired by mountains, gives a portion of its sales to organizations that protect National Parks, and Plant Based Candles allows customers to reuse the vessel as a planter with wildflower seeds included in each order.

Seasonal

🌎 Go planet, it’s (almost) your Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day in Tampa, FL

EarthDay.org also has resources for how to celebrate Earth Day year-round. | Photo via Pexels

Shoutout to planet Earth for keeping us all grounded. Let’s celebrate.

Saturday, April 22 marks Earth Day — an annual holiday that is celebrated by more than a billion people across 193 countries. This year’s campaign is “Invest In Our Planet,” and to help you do so, EarthDay.org has a plethora of resources that can help you get involved on local, national, and global levels. A few of our favorites include:

The 2023 Earth Day Action Toolkit — your resource for all things Earth Day and environmental advocacy.
The Earth Day event finder — search for local events taking place near you.
The Climate Literacy Communications Toolkit — learn about the key messaging and research behind climate literacy.

Interested in volunteering with a local environmental org in honor of Earth Day? Look no further than Tampa Bay Waterkeeper and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.

Earth Day facts

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Bailey

Holiday, translated: Tomorrow is Earth Day. The global holiday dates back to 1970, when it was spearheaded by a US senator who witnessed an oil spill first hand. Now, it’s observed by 1+ billion people across 193 countries. Brush up on your Italian skills with a subscription to Babbel (currently 55% off exclusively for TBAYtoday readers).*

From the editor

This one’s for the Tampans. Join your neighbors for an Earth Day cleanup at Rowlett Park (2401 E. Yukon St.) from 8-11 a.m. Plus, the kiddos can earn three hours of community service.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We shared some yummy munchies.

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