Mulch Mayhem offers free mulch at six locations Saturday

Got mulch? If you don’t, or don’t have enough, here’s a great opportunity to pick up plenty at the best price: free. Come summer, your garden will thank you.

It’s Mulch Mayhem, an annual one-day giveaway of organic mulch hosted by the Regional Water Authority and local water providers.

On Saturday, May 16, residents of Sacramento and Placer counties can pick up free mulch and wood chips at six different locations (including two changes from last year). Attendees can pick up one cubic yard of free mulch per household on a first-come, first-bagged basis. The free mulch is limited to customers of the participating water providers and agencies.

Mulch works magic in Sacramento’s summer heat. Not only does it help save water, but it keeps plant roots comfortable, adds nutrients to soil, suppresses weeds – and looks beautiful, too.

Water savings from this free mulch can really add up. Applying mulch 2 to 3 inches deep can save up to 30 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet every time you irrigate, according to landscape experts.

Each site will be open at 8 a.m. Saturday and the “Mayhem” continues until noon – or until all the mulch is shoveled. Bring your own bags, tarps and shovels.

Participating locations (along with special instructions) are:

* Carmichael Water District, 7837 Fair Oaks Blvd. in Carmichael. Hosted by Carmichael Water District; bring a shovel, container or tarp, and a means to haul away.

* Sierra College, Overflow Parking Lot, corner of Rocklin Road and El Don Drive (opposite the campus) in Rocklin. Hosted by Placer County Water Agency, the City of Lincoln, and San Juan Water District; self-loading station (hand shovel) or truck/trailer fill available.

* Roseville Parking Lot, 9100 Foothills Blvd. in Roseville. Hosted by the City of Roseville; open truck and trailer fill only – no shovels required.

* Sacramento Suburban Water District Facility, 917 Enterprise Drive, Sacramento. Hosted by Sacramento Suburban Water District; bring a shovel, container or tarp, and a means to haul away.

* City of Sacramento Corporation Yard, 5730 24th St., Sacramento. Hosted by the City of Sacramento; open-back truck/trailer fill or self-loading station; bring a shovel.

* Lincoln Airport, 1420 Flightline Drive, Lincoln (open field adjacent to airport). Hosted by the City of Lincoln; bring a shovel, container or tarp, and a means to haul away.

Details: BeWaterSmart.info/mulch-mayhem.