Looking to spruce up your garden without breaking the bank?
You’re in luck!
In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of getting free mulch near you.
Mulch is a fantastic way to keep your plants happy and healthy, not mention boosting your home’s curb appeal.
But when money is tight though and it seems like there are more important things to spend money on than mulch, it can be hard to justify paying $10 a bag for mulch at your local home improvement store.
The good news is you don’t have to!
Thankfully there are ways to score free mulch!
Table of Contents
What is Mulch?
Mulch is important for keeping your garden in prime condition.
Mulch can be made from a range of materials, like:
- Grass clippings
- Woodchips
- Sawdust
- Leaves
- Straw
- Whole bark nuggets
- Compost
- Stone
- And many other materials
Where Can I Get Free Mulch Near Me?
Below, I’ve included 10 clever ways to score free mulch and give your garden the love it deserves!
1. Straw
Live on or near a farm? This means you’ll have access to straw.
Straw can make for an effective mulch for gardens – it’s awesome for vegetable gardens (and who doesn’t want homegrown organic veggies?) – and newly sown lawns.
Be sure the straw doesn’t contain any hay though. Hay contains seeds that can turn into weeds in your garden – probably not what you want!
Ask the supplier about this prior to getting the straw. Don’t get the straw if the supplier doesn’t know.
2. ChipDrop
ChipDrop helps gardeners to find free woodchip mulch near them.
ChipDrop will find tree companies working in your area and notify them that you would like some woodchips or logs or both.
Next time their truck is full they can get your information through ChipDrop and deliver the woodchips right to your driveway – even when you’re at work.
Basically, ChipDrop is good for anyone who has ever wanted to know how to get free mulch delivery.
3. Fallen leaves
Don’t throw out those old leaves in your yard. Leaves make awesome mulch.
Scoop up any leaves that fall from the trees and save them to make mulch. Shred the leaves and spread them throughout your garden.
4. Landscaping companies
Contact any local landscaping companies. Ask if they have any landscaping debris, like leaves or grass clippings, which could be used as mulch.
Many landscaping companies will just be thankful that someone is taking this unwanted debris off their hands.
5. Tree companies and tree surgeons
Tree companies and tree surgeons have wood and woodchips from all of the trees they chop.
Contact any local tree companies and tree surgeons – basically anyone offering any type of tree services – to ask if they have any wood or woodchips that they’d be willing to give you. Some may even deliver it right to you.
6. Grass clippings
Mowing your lawn produces a bunch of grass clippings. You can actually use these to make mulch.
Gather up the grass clippings into a pile and use them to mulch next year’s garden. Grass clippings make good mulch.
Quick warning – don’t use fresh grass. The nitrogen it contains can burn your plants! Not what you want!
7. Craigslist
Craigslist is an excellent place to source all types of mulch. Go to the “For Sale” section on Craigslist. Under this section, click on “Free.” This will show you the freebies available nearby.
Type “mulch” into the search bar to see if anyone’s giving it away near you.
To refine the results, search for the type of mulch you’re looking for, like “woodchips” or “straw mulch.”
8. Woodworkers
Get in touch with local woodworkers. This could include a carpenter, furniture maker, cabinet maker, or woodcarver.
By the nature of their job, woodworkers generate a lot of woodchips, shavings, and sawdust. Those materials can all be used as mulch in your garden.
9. Utility companies
Utility companies often have to clear branches near power lines. This means they wind up with a bunch of woodchips that they don’t have a use for. You do though. Woodchips make for effective mulch.
Check the website of utility companies to see if they have any local mulch distribution programs. Or if you see any crews removing branches near powerlines in your area, ask if they have any woodchips that they’d be willing to give you.
10. Old newspaper
Old newspaper is one of the most efficient mulching materials. You need to only use the black and white pages though.
Color pages are a no-go as they contain ink that isn’t safe for use in the garden. Glossy pages are a no-go as well.
Shred up the paper and use it as mulch in your garden.
11. Local Government Programs
Many local governments offer free mulch programs as part of their waste management and sustainability initiatives.
These programs often recycle yard waste, such as tree trimmings and leaves, into mulch that is available to residents at no cost.
Here’s how you can take advantage of these programs:
Check Your City’s Website
Visit your local government’s website and look for information on waste management or environmental services. Many cities have a dedicated page for mulch and compost programs.
Visit the Municipal Yard
Some municipalities have designated drop-off and pick-up sites where you can collect free mulch. These sites are typically open on specific days and times.
Community Events
Keep an eye out for community events such as “Mulch Giveaways” or “Green Waste Days.” These events often provide free mulch to residents on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact Local Parks and Recreation Departments
Sometimes, parks and recreation departments have excess mulch from their maintenance activities that they offer to residents.
Spruce up Your Garden with Free Mulch!
Make your garden look beautiful this summer by getting free mulch.
You shouldn’t have to miss out on a beautiful garden just because you’re looking to save money. Thankfully you don’t have to.
Just use our simple tips on how to get free mulch!
