Free mulch: You'll need one of these Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker

As any good gardener knows, there’s nothing like good mulch, and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department is offering free mulch, as much as you can carry, at the Polo Fields at Zilker Park, starting Jan. 13. Bring your own bags and shovels.

Here’s the city’s announcement:

Limited Amount of Free Mulch Available to Public

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department will have a limited amount of free Christmas tree mulch available to the public at Zilker Park, in the Polo Field, beginning Wednesday, January 13, 2010.

The mulch, available on a first-come, first-served basis, is strictly for private use and is usually depleted within a 24-hour period. The pick-up location is at Zilker Park by the Polo Fields. Individuals picking up mulch should bring their own bags and necessary equipment. Park personnel will not be available to assist with mulch loading.

The Parks and Recreation staff strongly recommends the mulch be placed in a compost pile for several months to cure. The mulch is “green” and the decaying process causes it to get very hot. If the mulch is applied without a waiting period, it may damage or kill vegetation in areas where it is spread.

For more information regarding mulch pickup at Zilker Park please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 512-974-6700

This article appears in January 8 • 2010.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.