Are there completely free mulch options available?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.There are numerous free mulch sources that are just as effective as store-bought mulch. Grass clippings, shredded leaves, cardboard, and wood chips from tree services are all great for coverage and cost zero dollars. I covered my entire garden with just free sources for five years and had great success.
Grass Clippings
- Source: Your lawn or neighbors
- Best For: Vegetable gardens needing nitrogen
- Preparation: Dry in sun 2 days before use
- Application: 2-inch layers refreshed weekly
- Caution: Avoid herbicide-treated lawns
Shredded Leaves
- Source: Autumn leaf collection
- Best For: Winter protection for perennials
- Preparation: Run over with mower to shred
- Application: 4-inch layer before frost
- Caution: Avoid black walnut leaves
Cardboard
- Source: Shipping boxes
- Best For: Total weed suppression
- Preparation: Remove tape and labels
- Application: Layer under organic mulch
- Caution: Wet thoroughly before laying
Arborist Chips
- Source: Local tree services
- Best For: Pathways and orchards
- Preparation: Age fresh chips 6 months
- Application: 4-6 inch depth
- Caution: Confirm no diseased wood
Look for community resources to get free mulch. Contact tree services for wood chips. Usually, they will deliver to you for free because it saves them landfill fees. Find local gardening clubs and other community sources to trade grass clippings. In the fall, investigate municipal leaf collection sites. Grocery stores often share empty cardboard boxes for free daily.
Use free mulches correctly. When using grass clippings, be sure to use a thin layer to avoid matting after two weeks. Completely cover the cardboard with organic materials so you can easily recognize it in your next garden cycle, age wood chips before using them near plants, as they will likely form a hot pile. Common mistakes include using glossy printed cardboard or fresh grass clippings that can burn plants.
I have a free mulch system and save over $300 each year! And we share resources in our neighborhood: we all collect leaves in November. We share our grass clippings weekly. Our community garden is thriving without needing to buy mulch. You can have this closed loop system too!
Read the full article: Top 10 Best Mulch for Gardens: Ultimate Guide
