Mulching: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What mulching is

Mulching spreads a layer of bark, wood chips or other material over garden beds and around trees to hold moisture, block weeds and keep roots cooler. People hire it each spring or fall to refresh beds, or once to cover bare soil after edging and weeding.

Signs you need it

  • Bare soil in beds dries out fast in summer and cracks or crusts over
  • Weeds keep coming up in the same beds because there is nothing covering the soil
  • Mulch has broken down or washed away from beds and around trees
  • Trees have bare ground or turf right up against the trunk that needs a proper ring of mulch
  • You want clean, finished-looking beds before a season or an event

What the pro does

  • The crew edges the beds, removes weeds and loose debris, and checks the soil for moisture and compaction
  • Old mulch that is matted, moldy or too thick is raked out or loosened
  • Fresh mulch is spread to an even depth in each bed, with the depth set to suit the material
  • Mulch is pulled back from plant crowns and tree trunks so the bark and stems can breathe
  • The beds are raked smooth, the paths are swept, and any mulch that landed on hard surfaces is cleared

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total bed area and the number of trees that need a mulch ring
  • Mulch type, such as shredded bark, wood chips or other material
  • Depth the beds need, which depends on the material and the existing layer
  • Amount of old mulch to remove and haul before spreading new
  • Edging and weeding that is needed before mulching
  • Access to the beds, such as a wheelbarrow route through a side yard
  • Whether delivery of bulk material is included or the customer sources it

What a written quote should spell out

  • The beds and tree rings covered, with the area for each
  • The mulch type and the depth it will be spread to
  • Whether old mulch is removed, and where it goes
  • Whether edging and weeding are included before the mulch goes down
  • How mulch is kept away from plant crowns and tree trunks
  • Who supplies the mulch and how delivery is handled

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What mulch type do you use, and does it suit my beds and my plants?
  • How deep do you spread it, and how do you keep it from piling against the trunks?
  • Do you remove the old mulch first, or add on top of it?
  • Will you edge the beds and pull weeds before you spread the mulch?
  • Where do you source the mulch, and does it have any treated wood in it?
  • How often should I expect to refresh the mulch?
  • Do you blow mulch onto the lawn or hard surfaces, and how do you clean it up?

Red flags

  • They pile mulch against tree trunks or the stems of shrubs, which invites rot and pests
  • They spread mulch over weeds without pulling them, so the weeds come up through it
  • They put down mulch so thick that the soil cannot get water or air
  • They cannot say what the mulch is made from or where it came from
  • They spread mulch on top of old, matted material that is no longer breaking down

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can mulch beds by hand with a shovel and a wheelbarrow, spreading an even layer and pulling it back from stems and trunks. Call a pro for large areas, for bulk deliveries that need to be placed, or when a truck cannot reach the beds. Wear gloves and a dust mask when handling dry or dusty material, and lift bags and wheelbarrow loads with your legs.

Licenses and permits

Mulching is commonly not licensed; tree-related work done with mulching, such as pruning or root work, may need separate licenses in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency if the crew does more than spread material.

Mulching questions

How deep should mulch be?

The right depth depends on the material and the bed. Ask the crew what depth they will use for the material you chose, and why. Too much can smother roots, and too little does not block weeds.

Is wood mulch safe for my vegetables?

Ask the crew whether the mulch is untreated and suited to food gardens. Fresh wood chips can tie up nitrogen at first, so ask whether they would recommend a different material for vegetable beds.

Why shouldn't mulch touch the tree trunk?

Mulch piled against the bark holds moisture against it, which can invite rot and pests. Ask the crew to pull the mulch back so there is a clear ring around the trunk.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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