The annual Mulch Giveaway & Compost Sale is returning to Denver on May 1 and aims to help residents “plant the seed.” This year’s compost sale will be held at select Ace Hardware and A1 Organic stores across the metro from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The goal of the event is to help residents control weeds, retain soil moisture and protect shallow-rooted plants. When mulch is added to soil or compost, it can help plants thrive and enables soil to retain more water, which reduces the need of fertilization. 

The free mulch was created from trees that have been collected through Denver’s Treecycle program earlier this year.

Free dig-your-own mulch will be available at: 

• Havana Nursery at 10450 Smith Rd. 
• Bear Creek Park, which is south of Darmouth Ave. on Raleigh St.
• Sloan’s Lake Park at Sheridan Boulevard and 17th Avenue
• Veterans Park at Iowa Avenue and Vine Street.

Havana’s Nursery is the only location that will have free loading service into trucks and trailers.

Four Ace Hardware stores across the metro will offer $5 off per bag of one-cubic-foot EcoGro. The stores with the deal are:

• Ace Hardware Alameda Station at 417 S. Broadway
• Ace Hardware Cherry Creek at 1427 S. Holly St.
• Ace Hardware Tamarac Square at 3333 S. Tamarac Dr.
• Ace Hardware University Hills at 2500 S. Colorado Blvd.

Two A1 Organics locations will also offer bulk compost for $30 per cubic yard. The two stores are:

• A1 Organics Commerce City at 9109 Monaco St., Henderson, CO 80640
• A1 Organics Sheridan at 2300 Radcliff Ave., Sheridan, CO 80110

All attendees of the events are required to bring their own pitchforks, shovels, bags, containers, tarps or other necessary equipment to load, cover, secure and transport the mulch. 

Everyone will be required to wear a face mask and comply with social distancing guidelines. 

Additionally, the event is only for Denver residents. Commercial entities are barred from taking mulch or purchasing compost during the event.