How to Get Cheap (or Free) Mulch and Compost
If you are short on time and space to manage your own compost heap but need one for your thriving garden, there is a cheap and sometimes free way to get one.
As you may know, you should not end up with leaves, grass clippings and light twigs in landfills, as these can easily be returned to the environment in the form of compost and mulch. Many cities collect waste from their yards in addition to garbage and recycling. They’ll either pick it up from the sidewalk or build trash cans in your yard where you can throw it away yourself. These yard waste centers will then produce compost and mulch and redistribute it to parks and other urban green spaces throughout the city.
However, some of the same yard waste centers also offer mulch and compost to the public for free or at a very low cost compared to the packaged items you collect from day care centers or your home store. Local mulch is especially good because it comes from your community, so it is less likely to be infested with non-native weeds or pests.
Contact your local yard waste disposal center to check for mulch and compost. You may need to load your own bags and trash cans, but the savings are worth it.
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