Free Compost & Mulch Program

The City of Ventura is now offering the Free Compost and Mulch Program to City residents.

What is the program?

The program is a partnership with organic waste recycler, Agromin, to provide free mulch and compost to City residents. The program is a way to give back to residents for participating in the Food Waste Recycling Program and will help the City comply with Senate Bill 1383 regulations.

How do I participate?

Residents can pick up free compost at Cornucopia Community Gardens from sunrise to sunset OR order mulch and compost for pick-up or delivery directly from Agromin using the instructions below. Residents can place up to two orders per household (one product per order) per year with Agromin. A delivery cost of $135 per order applies.

Need a small amount of compost and have a way to shovel it into containers in your car/truck? Choose pickup at Cornucopia.
Have a truck /trailer and want the mulch or compost scooped in with a loader without extra costs? Choose pickup at Agromin.
Need a lot of mulch or compost, or don't have a truck? Choose delivery.

Pick-Up Instructions via Agromin (Free)

Step 1: Visit shop.agromin.com to start your order.
Step 2: Select your preferred material type (ES2 Mulch or Compost 100).
Step 3: Select your preferred quantity and head to "My Cart" to checkout Note: The minimum amount for pickup is ½ cubic yard (covers about 50 square feet with a 3-inch depth). The maximum for Compost is 15 cubic yards, and the maximum for Mulch is 20 cubic yards.*
Step 4: Enter "billing" info and select pickup.
Step 5: At final checkout, enter the coupon code COVCOM100 for Compost 100 or COVES2M for ES-2 Mulch.
Step 6: Bring proof of residency (I.D. or utility bill) and a pickup truck or open-top trailer to pick up your compost or mulch at Agromin (201 Kinetic Drive, Oxnard, CA, 93030) during business hours: M-F: 9 am – 3:00 pm, Saturday: 8 am – 11 am.
Step 7: Show your paper or digital receipt at Agromin to collect material.

Delivery Instructions via Agromin (Delivery fees apply)

Step 1: Visit shop.agromin.com to start your order.
Step 2: Select your preferred material type (ES2 Mulch or Compost 100).
Step 3: Select your preferred quantity and head to "My Cart" to checkout Note: The minimum amount for delivery is 3 cubic yards. The maximum for Compost is 15 cubic yards, and the maximum for Mulch is 20 cubic yards.*
Step 4: Enter "billing" info and select "ship to my address." Note: deliveries are only available to zip codes 93001, 93003, and 93004.
Step 5: At final checkout, enter the coupon code COVCOM100 for Compost 100 or COVES2M for ES-2 Mulch.
Step 6: Pay the $135 delivery fee. Note: An Agromin representative will contact you to schedule delivery. Each product within the minimum and maximum purchase amounts will incur a delivery charge. Products cannot be mixed together during delivery. Each product needs to be delivered in a separate Bobtail Truck.

*Agromin pick-up and delivery services are intended for residents who need larger product quantities. Smaller quantities may be picked up at Cornucopia Community Gardens and will still be available at pickup events throughout the year.

FAQs

How much product is 1-20 cubic yards?

1 cubic yard equals about 1 truck bed. 15-20 cubic yards will fill about 1 bobtail truck. 1 Cubic Yard = 1 Truck Bed Compost Bobtail

Mulch Bobtail

What kind of vehicle should I bring to pick-up at Agromin?

Trucks are best. Agromin will help load your vehicle using heavy equipment. Small quantity users can pick-up material at Cornucopia Community Gardens.

How do I use compost?

Compost is an excellent soil amendment for vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees since it contains no animal materials or biosolids. There are several ways you can use compost at home. Here are a few ideas:

Use it as a soil amendment: Mix compost into your garden soil to improve its structure, fertility, and water-holding capacity. For best results, add a layer of compost to your garden beds in the fall or early spring, and mix it in with a garden fork or tiller.
Use it as a top dressing: Spread a thin layer of compost over your lawn, garden beds, or potted plants to provide a slow-release source of nutrients. Be sure to avoid smothering the plants' stems or crowns.
Make compost tea: Steep a handful of compost in a bucket of water for a few days, stirring occasionally, to create a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. Dilute the compost tea with water and use it to water your plants.
Use it as a seed starting mix: Mix compost with vermiculite or perlite to create a nutrient-rich seed starting mix that promotes healthy seedling growth.

How do I use mulch?

Mulch is an excellent way to improve your garden's health and appearance, conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Here are some tips for using mulch at home:

Apply a layer of mulch: Spread a layer of mulch around your plants, leaving a small space around the stems or crowns. A layer of 2-3 inches is typically sufficient, although deeper layers may be necessary in areas with extreme temperatures.
Replenish the mulch as needed: Over time, the mulch will break down and decompose, providing valuable nutrients to your plants. Replenish the mulch as needed to maintain the desired depth and appearance.
Avoid piling mulch against the stems: Mulch piled against the stems or crowns of plants can promote rot and disease. Keep a small space around the base of each plant clear of mulch.

Can I participate in this program if I live in the County of Ventura?

No, this program is only offered to City of Ventura residents. Residents outside of City limits will be unable to pick-up products or have them delivered.

What products are available at Cornucopia Community Gardens?

The City will provide Agromin's Compost 100 product at Cornucopia Community Gardens just past the front left of the entrance. As always, there will also be free mulch from the City's tree-chipping activities on an as-available basis. This mulch product is not provided by Agromin. The compost will be a rich, dark color with a soil consistency. The mulch will have a lighter color, wood-chip consistency.

Are these products organic?

Yes, Agromin Compost 100 and ES 2 Mulch are organic products.

Will the City still host Compost & Mulch events?

Yes, the City will still host free compost & mulch events for residents with smaller quantity needs. The frequency and locations are to be determined.

Where is the Cornucopia Community Garden?

Cornucopia Community Gardens is on Telephone Rd between Johnson Dr and Ramelli Ave.

Please note you can only enter the property from the West (Telephone Rd and Johnson Dr). Mapping applications will often redirect users toward an incorrect entrance. The only entrance to the Cornucopia Community Gardens is on Telephone Rd.

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