7 Cheap (Or Free) Mulch Sources and How To Use Them In Your Garden

Wood chips, grass clippings, leaves, chipdrop, connecting with your local municipality, etc. All of these types of mulch are good options. In fact, some of these sources are the feature of popular gardening methods, like back to eden, the Ruth Stout method, etc.

IN THIS VIDEO

SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING

LEARN MORE

DISCLAIMER

[epicgardening]

Mulch Basics - 0:00
Straw Bales - 1:34
Chipper Shredder - 3:12
Local Municipality - 4:02
ChipDrop - 5:37
Pine Needles - 8:10
Grass Clippings - 9:20
Autumn Leaves - 10:38

[swIMatt]

I have another one for you. Find a friend with a bunny! Once a week, they will have a huge bag of bedding, hay, and bunny poop all mixed together. I have found this makes the perfect mulch as it protects the soil, breaks down easily, and feeds my garden a steady supply of nitrogen.

[elsiehandy]

Hi Kevin, love your videos. Just my comment on #7 leaf spent $5 at my local hardware store for leaf hand rakes, which were an absolute Godsend and the cost of desired amount of garbage bags. I went to the nearest cemetery and collected free leaves along the property line. It also helped clean the plots up and we even discovered and uncovered 2 veterans foot stones in the process. It benefits both sides. We filled 2x 13 gallon bags in minutes.

[OldMotherLogo]

I used to rake my neighbor’s leaves. They loved it. I would shred them and pile them in a corner of the yard over the winter, then when I cut grass in the summer, I would layer the leaves & fresh grass. It made beautiful compost.

[epicgardening]

PSA: Be careful about straw, I should have mentioned a bit more clearly how important it is to know exactly how the straw is produced. I grilled my supplier and was satisfied with the answer, but for an example of what could go wrong, see VagabondAnne's comment - Kevin

[HC-smhw]

Thanks so much for this! I was getting so confused googling different mulches and didn't really know where to start. After watching your video, I just went down to the woods with some shopping bags and filled them with leaves, pine needles, and already broken-down mulch. It didn't cost a penny, and the dog got a walk out of it, too! It would never have occurred to me if I hadn't watched this video :)

[jbc]

My grandparents used leaves. They found that it was less of a mess to run over them with a lawnmower with a bag. Each time they ran over them the leaves would get smaller of course and they dumped the bag making a new pile. It was less messy and let them create a reasonably consistent mulch of pieces smaller than a dime from pin oak leaves.

[Mary-sfcy]

My husband and I love you so much. Like, much. You are hands down our favorite youtuber.

[butterchuggins]

The Ruth Stout method is legit. I was glad to hear you mention her. Great video!

[nancywebb]

I have a neighbor who has two big maple trees. I rake them and bag them and bring them home. Then I shred them and bag them to use in my yard. Keeps us both happy! 😸😸😸

[beemeotv]

Wow, you have a Filipino grandma. I am always watching your videos and other various gardening videos especially about vegetables. More power and more gardening to come...watching from the Philippines.

[DeadeyeJoe]

Instead of chip drop, you can find a local arborist and ask them do drop some woodchips. I can't take a full load, but I can take a half load or so. I called an arborist down the street from me and they will dump their load, but keep the tail of the bed up so only about 1/2 or so of the woodchips are dropped. I just got a delivery a few days ago. It was from lychee and all spice trees, so the chips smell amazing!

[jannagrigorieva]

I've used pistachio shells since we go through many bags of them at home. I usually rinse the salt off, which is probably not necessary. They could also be used for drainage in pots instead of or with rocks, or even to cover a garden path.

[electriclili]

Oh my goodness- I could not be more grateful to you for this video! I did not know my county offered free mulch but after watching this I looked it up and it is available in my area! Thanks! :D

[thomasdutton]

100% engage your neighbors in using the chip drop. I got SO MUCH and you can't choose the size of your chip drop. I was able to use it all but it was so tiring moving the chips back to my garden. I enlisted some help from friends as it seemed like it would take me a week working 8 hours a day

[light]

i lived in Manila for four years totally loved the philipino people so happy...nice memories thanks for your videos really helping me. from uk

[nilag]

Hi Grandma good morning! Filipina here! I stumbled in your youtube yesterday while searching for the possible remedy with aphids and earwigs that eating our baby plants...what got me interested when you mentioned your grandma is Filipina. Because of her i watched your video....and yes, your topic is so right on time. I have no experience about gardening here in California because it very different from the soil and weather condition in Philippines thats why i have to research on youtube. Keep up the good work!

[grannygct]

Hi Kevin, love all your videos with tons of information for us, gardeners, to learn about. Recently my husband bought a case of your straw mulch. The straw mulch was fantastic, easy to use, love the fine cut for easy spreading. We already have one of your Birdie beds bought 2 years ago and enjoyed growing the veggies on it. We loved it so much that we bought 4 more from your big Memorial Weekend Sale, buy 3, get one free. Can't wait to replace those old raised beds we have for years! So, with 5 Birdies in our yard, it is going to be a huge transformation!! I really appreciate your time and effort you put in on your videos. ☺ We enjoyed working in our garden each day! 🤩

[TheKeeny]

Thank you so much! I had no idea that cities offered free mulch to residents, and a quick google search turned up my city's self-serve pick-up location! It's exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you for the great tip!

[maricelpagalan]

One yard revolution OYR also has a great idea: chop and drop, which is just using your own green yard waste like weeds and things you would otherwise put in the compost. I started doing this and I can't believe I've never thought of it. It's so easy and cheap. When you're weeding, pruning tomatoes, etc. just chop it a bit and drop it where you need mulch. This is an awesome video. So many great ideas.