Mulch
Fresh mulch makes beds look finished, and it also holds moisture, evens out soil temperature and slows weeds. How well it works comes down to the prep and the depth.
How the job is done
- 1Beds are weeded and cleared of leaves and trash first.
- 2The bed edge is re-cut for a clean line that slows grass creeping in.
- 3Old mulch is raked level and topped off, or removed if it is too deep or matted.
- 4New mulch is spread evenly, about 2 to 3 inches deep.
- 5It is pulled back from stems and tree trunks so the base of each trunk shows.
What affects the cost
- Total bed area
- Depth needed
- Type of mulch
- Whether old mulch comes out
- How many weeds
- Whether edges need re-cutting
- How far it is from the truck to the beds
Local conditions
University of Tennessee Extension recommends mulch about 2 to 3 inches deep and warns against the mulch volcano, a cone piled against a trunk that keeps the bark wet and invites rot, insects and rodents. Where local soils drain slowly, mulch piled thick against stems stays wet. Hard summer storms wash mulch out of sloped beds, and a clean edge helps hold it.
Questions homeowners ask us.
How deep should mulch be?
About 2 to 3 inches, kept off stems and trunks.
What is a mulch volcano?
Mulch piled in a cone against a tree trunk. It keeps the bark wet and invites rot, insects and rodents.
Does mulch stop weeds?
It slows them. Weeding the bed first matters more than the mulch.
Should old mulch be removed?
When it is too deep or matted, yes. Otherwise it can be raked and topped off.
Is the estimate really free, and what happens at the visit?
Free, with no obligation. Darren Fant walks the site, measures, looks at drainage and access, and gives a written quote. Every quote is written after seeing the yard, because access and grading differ house to house.
How it’s quoted
A written number after the walk-through - no sales pitch.
Related services
Service areas
Ready when you are.
Tell us about your yard and Darren will call to set up the visit.