Mulch, top soil available at research center
The community mulch pile is back by popular demand. This is coarse, organic wood mulch chipped from trees removed in the Las Vegas community. Rather than send this valuable resource to the landfill, the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Research Center and Demonstration Orchard is making it available to the community, free of charge.
This coarse mulch will not blow under high winds and allows good water and air penetration to the roots. It will decompose in a couple of years, adding organic matter to soil, lowering the soil pH and encouraging soil microorganisms and worms. The research center uses 4 to 6 inches around the fruit trees.
Along with the mulch, soil is available as a result of the scar from the Carpenter 1 fire at Mount Charleston and rainstorms over the past year. As a result of the storms, more than 26,000 cubic yards of soil coated the basin floor. The deposited soil was tested and it was determined to be highly enriched and was perfect for use as topsoil.
The mulch and the soil are available for pick-up from the research center on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. The soil is free if loaded by the individual and only $2 per tractor scoop loaded.
The center is located at 4600 Horse Drive in North Las Vegas. For more information, contact the research center at 702-786-4361 or the master gardener help desk at 702-257-5555.