County Provides Free Mulch for your Garden

Source: County of Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department can help residents save money and improve the environment through the Backyard Composting Program. The County offers countywide public workshops to help residents learn how to compost in their own backyard. The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department partners with the City of Santa Barbara, Solvang, and City of Goleta to provide these fun workshops free of charge. Compost Program Specialist Sam Dickinson says, “Food scraps and yard waste in the landfill is one of our largest generators of methane gas. When you compost leftover food scraps and plant materials in your own backyard, you divert organics from landfills and create a nutrient-rich soil amendment that is great for your garden.”

For upcoming workshops in your area, visit www.LessIsMore.org/Workshops .

The county also offers composting bins at wholesale prices at three locations:

1. South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station at 4430 Calle Real in Santa Barbara
2. North County Public Works Building at 620 West Foster Road in Orcutt
3. Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station at 4004 Foxen Canyon Road in Los Olivos

Using a green waste recycling bin is another great way to help complete the organics loop. This loop starts when grass, leaves, flowers, and other yard materials are discarded into this bin. These materials are collected and chipped into mulch, which is then distributed to local residents and farmers.  Mulch Program Coordinator Joey Costa says, “The main benefit of mulching is water conservation and nutrient input. Returning this mulch to the soil completes the organics loop, with many positive impacts for any garden.” Residents can get “load your own” mulch for free at the South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station and the Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station.  For details visit www.LessIsMore.org/Mulch or call (805) 681-4981 in south county and (805) 686-5084 in north county.

For more information about the Backyard Composting Program, visit the County’s recycling website, www.LessIsMore.org/Compost or call (805) 882-3618.