Due to a rise in leaf blight, a fungal disease caused by cool and wet conditions, potato and tomato plants are no longer being accepted at the City’s two compost depots at Highway 7 (at 11^th Street) and McOrmond Drive (0.5 km north of 8^th Street). Residents are advised to leave their garden waste spread thinly on their garden over winter (freezing kills the disease and stops its spread) or dispose of these plants in their regular garbage. All material mixed with tomato or potato plants will be rejected at the compost gate. The two depots will continue to accept leaves, grass, non-Elm tree branches, and other garden waste, free of charge until November 14.

Harvested tomatoes and potatoes suspected of having blight are still safe to eat, unless they are showing significant signs of decay, but should be stored separately from healthy ones. Residents should not store potatoes suspected of having blight for seed as the disease is passed on to future generations of the plant.

The compost depots divert organic matter that would otherwise be placed in household bins and end up at the Landfill. Compost from the depots is used throughout various civic departments to help offset the need to purchase topsoil.

Residents are reminded that due to the threat of Dutch Elm Disease, Provincial regulations prohibit the acceptance of Elm and any other material that cannot be distinguished from Elm, at the compost depots. These materials will not be accepted at the depots, but can be disposed of at the City Landfill.

The City of Saskatoon thanks residents for their help in protecting future gardens by keeping infected plants out of the compost stream. For additional information on the compost program, please contact 975-2486, or visit www.saskatoon.ca and search under “C” for composting.

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