To kick off International Compost Awareness Week, which starts Monday, Culver City Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations Division and American Organics is holding a free compost giveaway on Saturday morning in the parking lot adjacent to the Bone Yard Dog Park at the top of Bill Botts Park.

The giveaway will run from 8 a.m. until 12 noon.

Compost is used to improve or maintain high quality soil, to grow healthy plants, o reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides, improve water quality and protect the environment.

Questions and answers:

• What should I bring?

This is a self-haul event. Bring a shovel. Residents are responsible for shoveling and bagging their own compost in garbage bags, yard waste bags, reusable containers, pick-up bed or trailer.

• How do I use this compost in my garden?

 Compost is ready to go, but recommended to be mixed together with topsoil or another gardening fill. For best growing results, a 60/40 split (60 percent topsoil and 40 percent compost) is recommended.

• Where does this free compost come from?

American Organics, where every day is Earth Day. A.O. is part of the recycling loop by receiving local Culver City organic material and creating beneficial soil amendments to help grow healthy foods.

The compost material is OMRI Listed® (Organic Materials Review Institute) and licensed by the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture. It is approved to be used in agricultural operations that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program.

For more information, call Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations, Customer Service, at 310.253.6400.