Sure mulch can increase the beauty of your lawn and garden, but did you know that mulch also…

  • Protects plant roots
  • Adds much-needed nutrients to soil
  • Slows harmful topsoil erosion
  • Prevents weed growth
  • Retains moisture

Protect Your Investment

At a time when value matters most, it pays to look at your lawn or garden as an investment:  a little upfront work can yield big returns.  Adding mulch preserves and beautifies your lawn or garden longer, meaning less time watering and weeding it and more time enjoying it.

mulch

Applying Mulch

After you have decided which material to use, it’s time to apply it to your lawn or garden. Here are some things to remember:

  • Mid to late spring is the best time to put down mulch.
  • The area needs to be weed-free before mulching.
  • If you are mulching around plants, water them first, and then apply the mulch
  • Be careful not to pile too much on your plants.
  • Pull mulch away from woody stems and tree trunks one to two inches
  • The bigger the pieces or mulch, the deeper the layer needs to be
  • Consult a specialist about which mulch type best suits the size and style of your lawn or garden
  • Pathways, slopes, and areas prone to flooding or high wind need special consideration
  • Pull away old mulch gradually as the temperatures warm

How Much To Use

A 1-2″ layer of fine mulch should be sufficient, while a coarser material should be three – four inches deep. Too much of either type can suffocate your plants. In areas where you simply want to keep anything from growing, lay it on as thick as you like.

Coverage will vary greatly based on what type of mulch you use and how deeply it is layered.

The Benefits of Mulch

Mulch can help your plants by allowing rain water to get to the soil below, helping to prevent evaporation during dry weather, deterring weed growth, and maintaining a moderate soil temperature.

Particle Size

Mulch is classified as either 3x or 2x. Smaller and more consistent in particle size, 3x mulch will help retain more moisture and will hold color better than 2x mulch. 3x mulch will also decompose faster than 2x mulch.

Colored Mulch

Dyed with an organic dye, these mulches will hold their color all season long. Aging mulch outside in large piles darkens the color. After spreading, all mulches lighten due to the bleaching effect of the sun. Mulches composed from the inner parts of trees bleach faster and become lighter than bark mulches.

Hardwood Mulches

Most hardwood mulches are made from any old tree parts, including recycled wood products such as pallets, old lumber, and railroad ties. All our Hardwood Mulches are made from virgin materials to ensure the most uniform color and texture available.

Mulch Coverage

1 cubic yard of 27 cubic feet, covers approximately 200 square feet (sq. ft.) at a 1″ depth

  • 150 sq. ft. at a 2″ depth
  • 100 sq. ft. at 3″ depth
  • If you are buying mulch in bags, you will need 13.5 two-cubic foot bags to make one cubic yard
  • Use our Mulch Measurement Calculator to get our best estimate for your mulching project