Where I live now, the entire neighborhood puts out giant bags of pine straw and leaves at the curb for leaf and limb city service to pick up. I don't have a truck, but I drive around the neighborhood every month or so to pick up leaves, pine straw and grass clippings. Most people will thank you for hauling them away! I have also bought cheap straw and hay and put it through my old leaf chopper. It comes out the finest softest mulch that can be applied very close to even the smallest plants. I liked the way it looked because it reflected light better than dark mulches. I recommend everyone looking around their neighborhoods before BUYING any type of mulch. And I use lots of it throughout the year. I also put large leaves in my Labrador's play area in the backyard where grass doesn't grow well. After she runs through the leaves 100 times chasing frisbees and balls, they are a very fine mulch size.
