Turn your rotting pumpkins into “black gold” in the lower valley

EL PASO, Texas - The Dirt Y Girls are back again, and are ready to take your pumpkins and turn them back into "black gold"! But they don't only use pumpkins in their composting pile- other rotting, or older fruits and veggies, and plant matter can all be turned back into soil through the natural process of composting.

Veronica Perez and Roni Vasquez Perez are the duo bringing fresh soil and fruits and veggies to their neighborhood in Shawver Park. For anyone who lives between Midway and Zaragoza, and south of Alameda, the ladies offer their program for free!

Composting is a process by which "browns", or twigs, leaves, and branches, are mixed with "greens", fruit and veggie waste, coffee grounds, grass clippings, and water to create very nutrient-rich soil. The process takes a few months to return back to soil, but for many, it's completely worth it. The duo in the Lower Valley use the eventual "black gold" to grow new fruits and veggies and give them off to their neighbors throughout the year.

This year, the girls were able to do some community outreach and teach others about the composting process:

"We were able to go to UTEP the Franklin Mts, a couple schools for Earth Day, and it's been really fun interacting with the community on an education part," said Veronica.

For anyone thinking about starting your own composting pile, Veronica had this to say:

"We're more than happy to start anyone out whose wanting to start a composting pile in your house. First and foremost you want to put that pile as far away from your house as possible because you will get critters in there, but the good thing is, the critters will stay there in the pile because that's where the food's at."

She also recommended putting it near a water source, and having a cover to help the process move quickly. If you want to reach out to the girls about learning how to compost, or participating in their free service, you should contact them here or here.

Finally, if you have leftover pumpkins you don't know what to do with, you should head out to 8248 Troy Ave, El Paso, TX 79907 to drop off your stuff in their pumpkin bin. Thanks, Dirt Y Girls for giving back to the environment and community!