If you've cruised along Oak and Laguna, you've probably noticed an overpowering earthy odor lingering in the air. Behind the chain link fence that forms the perimeter of Hayes Valley Farm (450 Laguna) is the source of that pungent aroma -- a sea of soil.
The fragrance of these mounds can be easily mistaken for manure, but in fact, it's just a lot -- and we mean a lot -- of freshly-ground dead trees, otherwise known as mulch. This mulch, in particular, was collected and dropped off by Bayview Greenwaste, a junk removal and hauling service. Every winter, Bayview Greenwaste collects hundreds of dead trees and bushes throughout the city, grinds them up, adds a dash of oxygen, and turns them into the best soil around -- all for free to whoever can come pick it up. Hayes Valley Farm (HVF) is one of Bayview's drop-off and distribution centers for the accumulated mulch, and has been for the last four years. According to HVF co-founder Jay Rosenberg, this year was a "record year for tree removal." Slowly but surely, the mounds are getting hauled off by people realizing they can take as much mulch as they want for their gardening needs. Though, they won’t have an unlimited amount of time to take advantage -- Jay told us they must remove the soil by March 1 for the construction of Parcel P to begin. Read more about the development in one of our previous articles.
While this is undoubtedly a community service that the farm is offering, we were interested to hear how neighbors of the farm are dealing with the rather strong smell muscling its way into their nostrils (and, probably, apartments). Nonetheless, Jay claims that the reaction from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
"We've been doing this for four years and people have grown to expect the piles around this time of the year," Jay said.
Jay mentioned that people are also viewing the mulch piles as not only a source for gardening, but also as a "creative playground." One community member even suggested that they recreate the zigzag of Lombard Street in the mounds as they remove mulch.
So, until March 1st, feel free to stop by and pick up as much mulch as your hearts and gardens desire. Just be sure to schedule the pickup with the farm first at (415) 763-7645, or visit them on Wednesdays and Sundays from noon to 5pm.
The fragrance of these mounds can be easily mistaken for manure, but in fact, it's just a lot -- and we mean a lot -- of freshly-ground dead trees, otherwise known as mulch. This mulch, in particular, was collected and dropped off by Bayview Greenwaste, a junk removal and hauling service. Every winter, Bayview Greenwaste collects hundreds of dead trees and bushes throughout the city, grinds them up, adds a dash of oxygen, and turns them into the best soil around -- all for free to whoever can come pick it up. Hayes Valley Farm (HVF) is one of Bayview's drop-off and distribution centers for the accumulated mulch, and has been for the last four years. According to HVF co-founder Jay Rosenberg, this year was a "record year for tree removal." Slowly but surely, the mounds are getting hauled off by people realizing they can take as much mulch as they want for their gardening needs. Though, they won’t have an unlimited amount of time to take advantage -- Jay told us they must remove the soil by March 1 for the construction of Parcel P to begin. Read more about the development in one of our previous articles.
