MULCH OBLIGED

A first-come, self-serve mulch station is located at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds (parking lot off Oak Street), starting April through September, refilled as material becomes available. Mulch is made by the City of Bozeman Forestry Division, utilizing city trees trimmed or removed throughout the year.

Why mulch?

• Trees compete with grass for water and nutrients.

• Removing the grass around your trees helps to protect the tree from mowers and string trimmers.

• Mulch helps with more efficient watering as it holds moisture and reduces evaporation.

• And, mulch helps to discourage weed growth. 

Your trees, plants, and wallet will be saying thank you this summer.

Free Mulch from the City of Bozeman

•  Pickup your FREE mulch at:
  • Gallatin County Fairgrounds (parking lot off Oak St.)
• April through September, the City will refill material as it becomes available. 
• You haul—bring your own tools, containers, and muscle.
• Be a good neighbor. Please, only take what you need.

Explore directions to the Gallatin County Fairgrounds

Make the Most Out of Your Mulch

• When mulching around a tree, remove turf in a 3-foot diameter ring, 4 inches deep.
• Place newspaper or cardboard on the exposed soil to create an extra weed and grass barrier. 
• Lay 3-4 inches of mulch on the paper/cardboard, shaped into a saucer to move water toward the tree. 

More Tips for Those Wood Chips:

• Keep mulch depth at three inches—too little mulch won’t deter grass and weed growth, too much mulch may cause moisture-related disease.
• In Bozeman’s arid climate, mulch breaks down quickly.
• Check your mulch depth each spring.
• Rake and turn the full depth of your mulch once per year to mitigate potential mold growth.