Denver's annual Mulch Giveaway is making its return this year on May 3, marking a day when local residents can enrich their gardens for free, all while participating in the city's recycling efforts. Hosted by the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), the event is part of a long-standing tradition providing both mulch and a limited amount of compost to community members. These offerings not only support horticultural endeavors but also embody sustainable waste management practices within the city.
As detailed by DOTI, this year's giveaway will be held at three locations across the city, where residents can dig their mulch: the Denver Central Platte Campus, Cherry Creek Transfer Station, and the Havana Nursery. Those with trucks and trailers can receive help from loaders at the Havana Nursery. Participants are reminded to bring their tools and containers for transporting the mulch, along with a tarp to cover their loaded vehicles.
The mulch being distributed is the result of recycled holiday trees from the community's Treecycle program, transformed into a beneficial garden product. According to DOTI, mulch is known for its practical benefits, which include retaining soil moisture, suppressing weeds, and protecting plant roots from temperature extremes, all while adding aesthetic value to gardens.
For those interested in compost, advance registration is necessary to obtain the coveted soil amendment. Denver residents may sign up at Denvergov's website to receive a coupon confirmation code for their share of compost, to be picked up at Denver Central Platte Campus. It is required that residents bring a five-gallon bucket and proof of residency to claim their compost. This nutrient-rich product comes from the decomposition of food scraps and yard waste, part of Denver's compost collection program.
