Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Bono, AR

Mulch is best used in garden beds and yards, not in your driveway as pothole filler. It is meant to stimulate plant growth. Upon repeated pressure, it turns into compost, which also serves as fertilizer for weeds to take over. The roots will then break into your driveway, leading to more material loss and structural collapses.

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 soil composition to improve plant growth, you’ll likely want compost mixed into the topsoil instead of mulch. Over time, any decorative wood mulch will simply decompose under the topsoil.

Organic mulch typically lasts between 4 to 6 years. However, factors like the type of organic mulch you choose, mulch size, and weather conditions can all play a role in its longevity. In some cases, you’ll need to replace organic mulch every few years.

Buying topsoil in bulk or a bag depends on how much area you’re trying to cover. Even if it goes on sale, bagged topsoil isn’t as cheap as buying it in bulk, but transporting bulk topsoil can become cumbersome if you don’t have the proper truck. If you can find an easy delivery option and have the space to store a large amount of topsoil, buying in bulk will give you more bang for your buck.