Many think of spring as the best time to work in our yards, but did you know that fall is the optimal time to plant California natives? With its cooler temps, autumn is also a good time to put down mulch, so that when the rains arrive, you’ll have a good layer of natural material to soak up all that rainwater and keep your plants happy.

 

In case you’re wondering, mulch is any type of natural material that is spread out over the surface of soil as a covering. It is typically made of tree bark, wood chips,  grass clippings, and/or leaves, and it is used to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, keep the soil cool and make a garden more attractive.

 

If you’re in the market for mulch this fall, LA Sanitation and Environment creates high-quality mulch from the green waste collected from homes across Los Angeles. And, this mulch is available free to LA city residents. All you have to do is pick it up yourself at one of 11 locations around the City. Bring your own shovel, bag or pick-up truck bed. Load it up in your vehicle. You’re welcome to take as much as you need. Here are the locations:

 

East Los Angeles

2649 East Washington Blvd, LA 90023

Open: 7:00 a.m. – 5 p.m., every day

Mulch delivery on Wednesdays

 

Elysian Valley

3000 Gilroy Street, LA 90039

Open: 7:00 a.m. – 5 p.m., every day

Mulch deliveries on Mondays and Thursdays

 

Griffith Park

Across from 5400 Griffith Park Drive, LA 90027

Open: 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., week days

Compost and mulch deliveries daily

 

Lopez Canyon Environmental Center

11950 Lopez Canyon Road, LA 91342

Open: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., every day

Much deliveries daily

 

Lincoln Heights

1903 Humboldt Street, LA 90031

Open: 7:00 a.m. – 5 p.m., every day

Mulch deliveries on Mondays and Thursdays

 

North Hollywood

Corner of Vineland Ave. and West Chandler Blvd., LA 91601

Open: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., every day

Mulch deliveries on Mondays and Thursdays

 

San Pedro

1400 North Gaffey St, LA 90731

Open: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., every day

Mulch deliveries on Fridays

 

Van Nuys

Near D.C. Tillman Plant, entrance south of Densmore Avenue Intersection

15800 Victory Blvd., LA 91406

Open: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., week days

Mulch deliveries on Monday

 

West Los Angeles

6001 Bowcroft Street, LA 90016

Open: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., week days

Mulch deliveries on Tuesdays and Thursdays

 

If any locations run out of mulch, please call the Lopez Canyon Environmental Education Center at (818) 485-0703.

 

Happy mulching!