More than 400 gardeners were quick off the mark to take advantage of a council-run free compost giveaway.
Cupid Green Depot in Hemel Hempstead was geared up to hand out 13 tonnes of compost from 10am to 3pm on Sunday.
But by 9.30am cars were queuing to get into the depot and it took just three hours for all the compost – 1,500 bags –to go.
People could also take away a free Kitchen Kaddy.
Dacorum Borough Councillor Julie Laws, who oversees environment and sustainability, said: “The event was a great success and attracted twice as many residents as last year.
“We’re already looking ahead to next year’s event and our staff are looking at ways to reduce queuing times and make the event even more enjoyable for residents.”
From 2011 to 2012, Dacorum’s householders helped to divert around 15,500 tonnes of food waste, cardboard and garden waste away from landfill and into green wheelie bins.
The compost that was given away was made from the contents of the borough’s green wheelie bins and provided by Envar, the firm that turns the waste into compost.