Essential Things You Need to Know Before Buying Mulch

Mulching is a vital task for maintaining the health and beauty of your garden. It helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. However, before ordering mulch for your yard, it’s important to know how much you need, the types available, and the factors that affect the cost of mulch. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know before buying mulch, including soil delivery and mulch delivery services.

How to Decide the Amount of Mulch You Need

The first step in buying mulch is to determine the amount you need. This involves deciding on the type of mulch, calculating the square footage of your garden area, and determining the depth of the mulch layer.

Step 1: Decide the Type of Mulch

Mulch comes in a variety of types, including wood chips, bark, straw, hay, grass clippings, and leaves. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the type best suited for your needs.

If you want mulch that’s slow to decompose and lasts longer, you may want to go with wood chips or bark. If you want mulch that’s easy to handle and doesn’t require much maintenance, straw or grass clippings may be the right choice.

Step 2: Determine the Square Footage of the Garden Area

Once you’ve decided on the type of mulch, you need to determine the square footage of your garden area. This can be done by measuring the length and width of the area and multiplying the two numbers together.

For irregularly shaped areas, break the space into smaller, manageable shapes like rectangles and circles. Then, measure each shape and add the total square footage.

Step 3: Decide How Deep You Want the Mulch Layer

The depth of the mulch layer is also an essential factor to consider. A two to three-inch layer of mulch is usually enough to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature. However, some types of mulch, such as leaves or grass clippings, will compress and decompose faster than wood chips or bark, so you may need to add more layers. Hiring a professional mulch delivery service can make these steps much easier, as they will assist you in determining the ideal type and amount of mulch required.

Bagged Mulch vs Truckload of Mulch

When it comes to buying mulch, you have two options: bagged mulch or bulk mulch. Bagged mulch is easier to handle and can be purchased at local garden centers or hardware stores. However, it is more expensive than bulk mulch.

Bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard and is delivered to your home. It is less expensive than bagged mulch but requires more work to distribute.

Bulk Mulch Calculating Formula

To calculate the amount of bulk mulch you need, use the following formula:

Square footage x depth ÷ 27 = cubic yards needed

If your garden area is 1,000 square feet and you want a three-inch layer of mulch, you will need:

1,000 sq. ft. x 0.25 ft. ÷ 27 = 9.26 cubic yards of mulch

Bagged Mulch Calculating Formula

To calculate the amount of bagged mulch you need, use the following formula:

Square footage x depth ÷ bag size = number of bags needed

If your garden area is 1,000 square feet and you want a three-inch layer of mulch, and each bag contains two cubic feet of mulch, you will need:

1,000 sq. ft. x 0.25 ft. ÷ 2 = 125 bags of mulch

Factors that Affect the Cost of Buying Mulch

Mulch Delivery: The cost of mulch delivery varies depending on the distance, the amount of mulch, and the delivery method. Some soil delivery services offer free delivery within a certain radius, while others charge a fee based on the distance.

Quantity: The more mulch you need, the more expensive it will be. Buying in bulk can save you money, but you may end up with too much mulch if you overestimate the amount you need.

Size of Area: The size of your garden area also affects the cost of buying mulch. Larger areas require more mulch, which can increase the overall cost.

Maintenance: Some types of mulch require more maintenance than others. Wood chips or bark may last longer than straw or grass clippings but require more maintenance. The cost of maintenance should also be factored into the overall cost of buying mulch.

We Offer Mulch Delivery

As a trusted landscaping company in Toronto, we’re excited to offer you a wide range of different types of mulch for your garden needs. Whether you’re looking for a decorative touch or a functional solution, we carry mulch that fits every need.

Our selection includes organic mulches such as:

Each type offers unique benefits, from moisture retention and weed suppression to erosion control and insect resistance.

So why wait? Fill out our form or contact us at 416-271-3503 to schedule a mulch delivery and take the first step towards a healthier, more beautiful garden. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have and provide you with the best mulching solution for your specific needs. Trust us, and your garden will thank you!