What goes down first, topsoil or mulch?

<div><p>Topsoil should go down first. If the topsoil is next to your house, make sure the grade slopes away from the house to keep water from pooling against your foundation and possibly leaking into your basement or crawl space. Don’t cover your decorative landscape mulch with topsoil as that defeats the purpose of laying down the mulch. If you’re trying to create a certain <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-can-you-improve-plant-growth-start-improving-your-soil.htm">soil composition to improve plant growth</a>, you’ll likely want compost mixed into the topsoil instead of mulch. Over time, any decorative wood mulch will simply decompose under the topsoil. </p></div>

Does mulch attract termites?

<div><p>No, mulch itself does not necessarily attract termites even though it’s usually made of shredded wood. Some types of mulch like cedar or cypress <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/proactive-tips-avoid-termite-damage-your-home.htm">resist termites</a> because they’re toxic or unappetizing to the wood munchers. However, when the mulch is deep enough, say three inches or more, it creates a perfect habitat for insects of all kinds to build nests.</p></div>

Do you put anything under mulch?

<div><p>Although it’s not required to lay anything under mulch, it can help to put landscape fabric or plastic weed barrier down and <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/preparing-your-landscape-garden-mulch.htm">lay mulch</a> on top. The barrier helps keep weeds from growing up through your mulch. It also helps keep rodents and insects from burrowing into the ground underneath.</p></div>

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Q: What's the average cost of topsoil?

<div><p><a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/truck-load-fill-dirt.htm">Topsoil costs</a> from <b>$12 to $55 per cubic yard</b>, depending on the type you choose. For example, screened black dirt will cost about $15 per cubic yard. Loam (soil composed of sand, silt, and clay) costs about $17 per cubic yard. Standard screened topsoil costs about $20 per cubic yard. The type of topsoil you need depends on your landscaping plans.</p></div>

Q: How much does mulch cost?

<div><p><a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-mulch-delivery-and-install-cost.htm">Mulch costs</a> anywhere from <b>$30 to $150 per cubic yard</b>, depending on the type you choose. On the inexpensive end, red and black mulch are about $35 to $40 per cubic yard, and are typically made from recycled waste wood like shredded old pallets or deck material. Cedar, cypress, and rubber mulch cost anywhere from $100 to $120 per cubic yard. A pro can help you determine the type of mulch most suitable for your landscaping needs.</p></div>

Q: Do you put anything under mulch?

<div><p>Although it&rsquo;s not required to lay anything under mulch, it can help to put landscape fabric or plastic weed barrier down and <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/preparing-your-landscape-garden-mulch.htm">lay mulch</a> on top. The barrier helps keep weeds from growing up through your mulch. It also helps keep rodents and insects from burrowing into the ground underneath.</p></div>

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*The Angi rating for Mulch And Topsoil Service companies in Los Angeles, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Mulch And Topsoil Service needs.

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Last update on September 18, 2025

Reviewed in February 2025
Logos Landscape has continued to be ongoing asset to our portfolio of Apartment Communities and are considered Team Members due to their quick response, reliability, fair pricing in all of our landscaping needs. An absolute pleasure to work with
Logos Landscape
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Reviewed in May 2024
Don’t look any further. First of all I want to say Paul is amazing. My yard has never been this beautiful. When I originally called I wanted to just get my sprinklers looked at. He can over promptly and fixed everything in a short time. He was nice explaining everything to a girl who is not...
Bellflower Landscaping
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Reviewed in September 2020
Conrad came immediately to give an estimate. He then scheduled the work and it proceeded as promised. The workplace was left very clean every day. It took three days and we couldn't be happier with the result.
Del Mar Landscaping
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Reviewed in November 2017
Working with Conrad and his crew was a great experience. Work started exactly when it was scheduled. The crew was punctual every day, very clean and organized, and the whole job took just a little longer than planned because we asked them to do additional work, which they did for a very low...
Del Mar Landscaping
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Reviewed in February 2019
They are punctual, professional, and pricing was reasonable. Was so happy with quality, I have hired them to do monthly maintenance. Also recommended their service to my mother-in-law.
Del Mar Landscaping
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Reviewed in July 2013
Del Mar Landscaping was fantastic. The yard was cleaned out, tilled and ficus trees were removed in one day. Next few days consisted of removal of the old fence and installation of the sprinkler system. New sod was being installed by the weekend. This work would have taken me a month to...
Del Mar Landscaping
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Reviewed in March 2018
I would highly recommend Conrad and his team to anyone. Creative ideas, great work ethic and our yard looks amazing. He delivers what he says he will and his team showed every day on time. I would use him again and would recommend him to everyone.
Del Mar Landscaping
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Reviewed in May 2018
Excellent work. Completely landscaped my backyard. He understood what I wanted and delivered on a tight timeframe for a fair price. I highly recommend Del Mar and plan to use them again for my front yard
Del Mar Landscaping
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Reviewed in August 2013
I absolutely loved working with Conrad and Del Mar Landscaping. We had a dingy, dark front yard with a dead lawn and very much wanted to replace it with a low-water alternative. I did not know much about landscaping or plants so I spoke to several providers to see who might best help us...
Del Mar Landscaping
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Reviewed in November 2017
Excellent. Conrad showed up on time, as scheduled, and his crew worked very efficiently. They cleaned up every day before they left. Conrad was very easy to work with and has responded to follow-up questions quickly, even several weeks after completion of the project. We highly recommend Del Mar...
Del Mar Landscaping
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Mulch and topsoil pros in Los Angeles

Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Los Angeles, CA

There are 10 highly-rated local mulch and topsoil pros.

Need a pro for your mulch and topsoil service project in Los Angeles, CA?

Landscape Yard or Garden Installation

Gravel or Loose Fill Paving Install, Spread or Scrape

Landscape Soil, Sand, Mulch and Rock Delivery

Verified Reviews for Mulch And Topsoil Service pros in Los Angeles, CA

Mulch and topsoil pros in Los Angeles

Pasillas Landscape

Pasillas Landscape

Barba Landscape & Design

Barba Landscape & Design

Christmas and Sons

Christmas and Sons

Elite Landscape by Jaime

Elite Landscape by Jaime

Grays Landscaping LLC

Grays Landscaping LLC

Ado's Dump Truck

Ado's Dump Truck

Home Pro Remodeling & Construction, Inc.

Home Pro Remodeling & Construction, Inc.

Emerson Contracting

Emerson Contracting

ROMERO'S LANDSCAPING & GARDENING SERVICES INC

ROMERO'S LANDSCAPING & GARDENING SERVICES INC

My Essential Green Outdoors

My Essential Green Outdoors

FAQs for mulch and topsoil service projects in Los Angeles, CA

What's the average cost of topsoil?

How much does mulch cost?

What goes down first, topsoil or mulch?

Does mulch attract termites?

Do you put anything under mulch?

The Los Angeles, CA homeowners’ guide to mulch and topsoil services

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