Mulch

Mulch Products

  • Colorscape: Color enhanced hardwood mulch is available in brown or black.
  • Pinebark Shredded Mulch
  • Double Shredded Hardwood Bark Mulch
  • Natural Grind Chipped Mulch
  • Dyed Chocolate Chip Mulch

How much mulch do I need?


What Is Mulch?

Mulch is any material, organic or inorganic, that is placed on top of the soil in a garden or landscape.  Mulch is an essential component of low-maintenance landscapes.

Benefits of Mulch

Aside from its decorative value, mulch offers many benefits to your soil and plants.  Mulch reduces the amount of water lost through evaporation by shielding the soil from the sun’s drying rays.  It keeps the soil cooler during the summer and acts as an insulator through the cold winter months.   Organic matter is added to the soil as the mulch breaks down.  Increasing the soil’s organic matter adds moisture and nutrients to the soil.  Weed growth is suppressed by the use of mulch.  Mulched plots are also less prone to erosion.

Mulching Tips:

  1. Spray beds for weeds One to two weeks before mulching.
  2. Clean out beds — Loosen any old, compacted mulch with a rake (or remove if desired); clear out any leaves, twigs, etc.
  3. Unload mulch — Unload mulch and store it on grass or bare earth while preparing beds. If storing on concrete or finished surfaces, place bulk mulch on tarp(s) to prevent any discoloring.
  4. Spread mulch Spread the colored mulch over the existing loosened mulch or bare ground. Make sure the colored mulch is spread evenly and to a depth of two to four inches. It should slope away from structures for proper water runoff.
  5. Avoid Water — When applying colored mulch, allow it to dry, avoiding exposure to sprinklers or rain for an initial 24 to 48 hours.  If it does rain prior to the mulch drying, rake the surface of the bed to even out the color intensity.

Colorscape: Color Enhanced Mulch

Frequently Asked Questions

Is colored mulch safe?

The colorants in colored mulch are safe for people, animals, and the environment. In fact, recent independent laboratory studies looked at colored mulch very closely to determine its toxicity. In the studies, toxicity is tested using a variety of reaction types — from acute oral, skin, and inhalation toxicity to eye and skin irritation. The results place the colorant used in colored mulch into the lowest and safest level of toxicity possible — Category IV ― the same level as the sugar you put in your coffee (which is not to say we recommend consuming it). By contrast, table salt and baking soda have higher levels of toxicity.

Why do I need colored mulch?

Not only does colored mulch offer better UV-resistance than regular mulch, it also adds a unique appeal to your home, thanks to the vivid colors available.

How much colored mulch do I need for my landscaping?

Bulk colored mulch is generally sold by the cubic yard, which measures 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet, or by the bag, which generally equals 2 cubic feet. Mulch is typically laid out at a depth of between 2- 4 inches. To calculate how much you need, multiply the length of your bed by the width, and then multiply by .33. Divide this number by 27. That will tell you how many cubic yards you need.

Or just use our mulch calculator above and let us do the math for you.

Is there anything I need to know about maintaining a colored mulch bed?

Colored mulch retains its vivid colors longer than traditional mulch. However, as with traditional mulch, you should periodically check colored mulch for compaction, and use a cultivator or rake to loosen it up. This helps prevent fungal growth and improves plant hydration by allowing air and water to pass through.

How long will the color last?

Colored mulch will typically maintain its color for one to two seasons, depending on the amount of direct sunlight and moisture