Bring a shovel; Mulch Mayhem offers free mulch

Mulch works magic in Sacramento gardens, especially during the hot and dry months to come. Like a nourishing blanket around plants, mulch keeps roots comfortably cool while retaining moisture and feeding soil microbes. It even cuts down on weeds.

And here’s your chance to get a lot of mulch for free.

It’s Mulch Mayhem, presented by the Regional Water Authority and local water providers in Sacramento and Placer counties. On Saturday morning, May 4, residents can pick up 1 cubic yard – that’s 27 cubic feet – of wood-chip mulch for their personal use. The hardest part: Getting it home.

Participants need to bring their own shovels, bags or tarps to haul the mulch away. One participating location in Roseville will fill up the back of open pick-up trucks or trailers (no shovels necessary).

According to the RWA, mulch does a lot for Sacramento-area gardens.

“Mulch slows evaporation, moderates soil temperature, and enhances the beauty of your landscape,” says the RWA. “As it naturally breaks down, mulch enriches the soil with essential nutrients for healthier plants. Mulch acts as a natural barrier to help control pesky weeds. Water managers estimate you can save 30 gallons of water for every 1,000 square feet by applying two to three inches of organic mulch around plants and four to six inches around trees.”

The mulch is a real mix of our urban forest. It came from the wood of downed trees or pruning leftovers from park and street trees.

Mulch Mayhem is open to customers of the hosting water agencies and providers including the cities of Sacramento, Roseville and Lincoln. Also hosting: Carmichael Water District, Placer County Water Agency, San Juan Water District and Sacramento Suburban Water District.

Limit is 1 cubic yard per household and for personal use only. (Contact your water provider for more details.) In addition, the City of Sacramento is offering free compost at its marina Mulch Mayhem pick-up point.

No advance registration is necessary. The free mulch will be available from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday (while supply lasts) at five locations:

Carmichael: Carmichael Water District, 7837 Fair Oaks Blvd.

Information: (916) 483-2452 or carmichaelwd.org.

Rocklin: Sierra College, Overflow Parking Lot, corner of Rocklin Road and El Don Drive, opposite the campus.

Information: (530) 823-4850 or pcwa.net.

Roseville: Parking Lot – Foothills Boulevard; entrance located at 9100 Foothills Blvd. Open truck and trailer fill only—no shovels required.

Info: (916) 774-5761 or roseville.ca.us/mulchmayhem.

Sacramento: Sacramento Suburban Water District Facility, 917 Enterprise Drive.

Info: (916) 972-7171 or sswd.org.

Sacramento: Sacramento Marina, 2710 Ramp Way (enter from Front Street). Compost also available here.

Info: (916) 808-5605 or SacWaterWise.com.

Details: BeWaterSmart.info/mulch-mayhem.