Hi Steve. I'm new to the area too -- a first-time gardener and home owner. I've checked several places in the area, and many require a several yard order just for delivery. JV Brockwell doesn't, but then you pay delivery fees so it doesn't end up being cheap, but is reasonably priced for delivery. Cheapest I've seen is at Roses -- it's bagged pine bark/ hardwood mulch for $3 (2 cu ft). For next year, Duke gives away leaf mulch in April, and they allow you to come with shovels and your own mulch bags or containers to throw in the back of your car. I missed that one. Best of luck to you!

This may be too late for you, but it looks like Durham County is giving away mulch this morning (4/28) until noon. Bring as many 5-gal buckets and/or rubbermaid containers as will fit in your car plus a shovel, and see what you can get!

Here is a link that might be useful: Durham compost/mulch giveaway

Ah, sorry, I may have posted too fast there. Other websites seem to be implying that you do need a truck for the free giveaway. However, it also looks like you can get more limited amounts free most days of the week. You can take five 5-gal buckets for free as long as you load your own. Do that over a couple of days, and you should be set for a smaller yard. They have hours M-Sat.

Here is a link that might be useful: Durham yard waste compost facility

Hi Steve
For bulk delivery of all sorts mulches & amendments I highly recommend Poultry Villa Landscaping & Supplies (919) 542-5438 (North Pittsboro).

You really need to check out Carrboro Public Works' free leaf compost. Even without a pickup truck, you can work some major garden wonders several trash bag loads at a time. The Public Works yard is across from FP Graham Elementary on S. Greensboro Street.

We purchased our mulch at For Gardens Sake in Durham. I dont think they had a minimum.

Thanks everyone. As I mentioned, I purchased about 15 2cu.ft. bags of mulch at Lowe's the other night, and its already all gone and still a couple areas to cover. (On the bright side, more beds means less lawn to mow.) For next year, I think I'll definitely get a delivery. I also found a website for Mellott Contractors (http://www.mellottcontractors.com/), which is right on Jones Ferry not too far from me. I haven't contacted them, so I have no idea what their prices or minimums are.

The Carrboro Public Works is a great idea. I half-knew about that, but then wasn't sure if that was the same as the Orange County Recycling Center, which I guess is different.

I am just a few minutes south of campus and I use JV Brockwell. Even though I have a pickup truck, I buy so much, that I rely upon their dump truck delivery (I'm on 4.5 acres, so they can get the big trucks in here).

They have a driver with "a little red truck" that hauls much smaller loads than the big dump trucks and can fit into town driveways. You can call and ask about that truck and the prices.

I've been using them for years for mulch, rock, screenings, and garden soil.

Hope you find an easy solution.
Cameron

For compost, especially south of Carrboro, I would suggest semi-aged cow manure with bedding from Clark Farms which is south of Siler City. They have 2000 head of cattle and need to get rid of the stuff. They grind it and pile it for awhile and a friend of theirs has a Tandem dump truck (15-20 cu yards)who will deliver. They charge $50/load and their friend Gerald charges me $60 for delivery to near Silk Hope (20mi) You would probably be half again as far ($20-30 more??). That is still probably much cheaper than you would find elsewhere for terrific compost. I have taken 2 loads two times. The first time gave quite a barnyard smell for a week and needed a month more curing but the second lot was more completely composted. Obviously heavy on nitrogen and grew huge squash plants that ate my tomatoes that I thought were safely distant, and grew a great lawn on a red clay ditch where grass won't grow at all alone. I still have some and it grew no weeds from the pile. Of course it is a perfect medium for weeds in your garden and won't do as mulch.
Gilbert and Doug Clark 919 742-3818