The City of San Diego is making it easy for gardeners to get their hands on FREE, nutrient-rich compost, thanks to upcoming Compost Giveaway Events happening this weekend and presented by the Environmental Services Department (ESD) in partnership with I Love A Clean San Diego.  

Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturist or just starting out, these events are perfect for anyone looking to give their plants a boost and help their garden thrive. Compost Giveaway Events will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 13, at two locations:  

·        Sunrunner Lot at the northeast corner of SeaWorld Drive and Pacific Highway, where both compost and mulch will be given away. 

·        Los Peñasquitos Ranch House at 2122 Canyonside Park Drive (compost only). 

Compost has many benefits, including providing energy to plants and helping soil retain water. 

“In addition to the important ways compost helps our gardens, it’s also a critical part of the City’s fight against climate change, keeping carbon out of the atmosphere and increasing resilience to impacts from wildfire, heat, drought and flooding,” said Edward Baskin, Recycling Specialist with Environmental Services. 

Compost is most beneficial when used consistently over time, at least twice a year, such as in spring and fall for raised beds and pots, top dress, turf top dress and seedings and propagation. 

San Diego’s abundance of compost is due, in large part, to the success of the City’s Organic Waste Recycling Program. The program was rolled out in 2023, with new green bins delivered to more than 200,000 households receiving services from ESD. These customers are now empowered to recycle their food scraps and yard trimmings, with the City providing weekly collection services. 

At the Miramar Greenery, compost is made from yard trimmings and food scraps that are ground, placed in long piles called windrows, turned and watered and covered for several weeks.  During this time, microorganisms digest the carbon and nitrogen-rich mixture, producing nutrient-rich material that is ready to be added back into the earth by farms and gardens throughout San Diego with the goal of creating healthy soils. 

Compost is a beneficial soil amendment that adds life to the soil, reduces erosion, recycles nutrients, stores carbon, saves water and cuts down on chemicals. Mulch—which is made from 100% recycled yard trimmings from local residents and businesses—is a reliable, cost-effective product for weed suppression, water retention and erosion control. Mulch is ideal for slope stabilization, agricultural soil retention, and as a decorative top dressing.  

In addition to picking up material at Compost Giveaway Events, residents can also self-load free compost and mulch (up to two cubic yards, which is the equivalent of two bathtubs) at the Miramar Greenery, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.    

Compost Giveaway Events: Know Before You Go: 

·        Advance reservations are recommended, but not required. 

·        Bring your own shovel, gloves and containers. 

·        Be prepared to self-load. 

·        A waiver is required. 

·        Supply your own tarp and bungees (truck beds must be covered on top). 

For more information about the events, visit sandiego.gov/freecompost.