We are already experiencing an early heat wave before the onset of meteorological summer. How do we help desperately needed plant life survive ever more difficult growing conditions in our very own urban heat island? Even if you “Leave the Leaves” during the fall, by now much of the leaf litter has decomposed. Maybe you remembered to mulch your trees in April, but what about everywhere else? As explained by the Texas A&M; AgriLife Extension: “Here in the Austin area, the warm night time temperatures keep the soil microorganisms actively consuming organic matter twenty-four hours a day. Without a constant source of plant material to feed the soil food web, soils become depleted.” https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/about-2/horticulture/soils-and-composting-for-austin/compost-brings-life/ You can replenish your soil while reducing waste using local resources.
The City of Austin provides free mulch, but you have to make an appointment to load it yourself at the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center. https://www.austintexas.gov/dropoff Please remember that such a “hot” freshly chipped mulch from a high pile might serve best in spaces not immediately next to tender plants. https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/sour-mulch-can-burn-tender-plants/ Starbucks still offers free “Grounds for Your Garden,” and local baristas sometimes have way more than just a few silver bags if you ask. https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-coffee-grounds-for-the-garden/ Make sure to balance your coffee grounds with other organic matter. https://extension.arizona.edu/using-coffee-grounds-garden Spent mushroom blocks can also be incorporated into a balanced compost or mulch mix. https://www.centraltexasmycology.org/mushroom-block-pick-up-location
Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Co. in Cedar Creek sells large bags of pecan shell mulch. https://www.facebook.com/berdollpecancandy/posts/did-you-know-we-sell-pecan-shells-great-for-mulch-and-barbecuing-they-are-sold-i/10158458563857419/ The City of Austin’s Dillo Dirt™ compost, made from brush and treated biosolids, is also available for purchase. https://www.austintexas.gov/department/dillo-dirtix. https://www.centraltexasmycology.org/mushroom-block-pick-up-location
North Loop Neighborhood Association 