Seattle is making it easier for people to garden the natural way by offering discounts on compost bins.

Residents can save more than $100 on high quality compost bins while building healthy soils and helping their plants to thrive.

Carl Woestwin, landscape conservation manager at Seattle Public Utilities, said that by composting at home consumers could have beautiful gardens without resorting to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

"Composting at home is easy to do and you get a great natural soil builder to use in your garden," said Woestwin. "With these discounts, Seattle residents can save a lot of money on quality compost bins."

Local gardeners can take advantage of two offers:

- Green Cone Food Composting Bins Two Cones for $40, when purchased together. One Cone for $25 (retail price over $100 each). Limit two per household.

- Yard Waste Compost Bins $25 each (retail price over $70). Limit one per household.

The compost bins can be purchased online at www.seattle.gov/binsandbarrels or by calling 684-0190.

The Green Cone food waste composters turn food scraps such as fruits and vegetables, breads and grains, eggshells, coffee grounds, and tea bags into nutrient-rich compost for customers' gardens.

The yard waste compost bins transform grass clippings, leaves, stalks, dead plants, small twigs, and most weeds into a natural soil builder.

Organic materials are a valuable resource when composted or used as mulch in the garden. Composting is an important way for gardeners to reduce waste and build healthy soil. Organic matter improves plant health, prevents erosion, and holds moisture and nutrients in the soil.

Customers can also purchase high quality rain barrels for $65 plus tax. Rain barrels allow gardeners to collect Seattle's famed rain for use in their yards. Depending on how much it rains, a rain barrel or two collecting water from a 500 to 600 square-foot roof area can provide enough water to care for the plants and flowerpots on a deck or patio for several weeks.

Home delivery is available for a small delivery charge, or orders can be picked up at the Seattle Conservation Corps office at Sand Point/Magnuson Park, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sales of compost bins are restricted to Seattle residents.

For more information on composting and natural yard care, customers can call or e-mail the Garden Hotline at 633-0224 or info@gardenhotline.org.