Hunting for bags of mulch in Dallas

[crazytomato]

Would anyone like to share with me a location or two around town (Dallas) where I can regularly pick up bags of discarded pine needles and other brown compost?
Fallen pine needles--that IS brown compost, right?

I know this is highly classified information to some scavenging enthusiasts (may parents have the claim on most "free" compost in central Houston; they have a network of "associates" calling periodically to report bags of landscaping refuse on the curbside). But it's worth a try, and I'm new to the area and desperate for mulch! I have a large homestead garden in Lancaster, Texas.

Thanks!

[Kathe Kitchens]

I used to get bags of grass clippings from my non-organic neighbors and compost them into usable material. When fall comes you will see bags and bags of leaves that people are throwing away. I stop and ask if I can take them. I get some looks :shock: but never a no, but they think I'm crazy even when I explain what I'm doing. I get a heck of a lot of compost for my efforts!

[chapster]

Kathe Kitchens wrote: I used to get bags of grass clippings from my non-organic neighbors and compost them into usable material. When fall comes you will see bags and bags of leaves that people are throwing away. I stop and ask if I can take them. I get some looks :shock: but never a no, but they think I'm crazy even when I explain what I'm doing. I get a heck of a lot of compost for my efforts!

The only reservation I would have regarding this, is the introduction of chemicals they might have used into your organic ecosystem. I guess that leaves are less likely, but grass could be a major concern. However, if they are using the chemicals on their lawns, the trees are also absorbing this, and it will be in the leaves.

Just a thought, I don't know how critical this is......

John C.