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>

Will mulching in the fall attract termites?

• <div><p>Mulching any time of year can attract termites, so there’s no added risk in the fall. The important thing to remember is that termites are attracted to rotting wood, so you need to lay a thin enough layer that won’t trap too much moisture and lead to rotting. A layer between 1 and 4 inches thick should provide all the benefits you’re looking for without attracting termites.</p></div>

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Q: Can I fill potholes in my driveway with mulch?

• <div><p>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. </p></div>

Q: Can you lay pea gravel directly on dirt?

• <div><p>Yes, you can lay pea gravel directly on the dirt. First, dig a trench 2 to 6 inches deep the length and width of the area you want to cover. Plants and weeds will eventually grow through the pea gravel if you don&rsquo;t lay down landscaping cloth.</p></div>

Q: Will mulching in the fall attract termites?

• <div><p>Mulching any time of year can attract termites, so there&rsquo;s no added risk in the fall. The important thing to remember is that termites are attracted to rotting wood, so you need to lay a thin enough layer that won&rsquo;t trap too much moisture and lead to rotting. A layer between 1 and 4 inches thick should provide all the benefits you&rsquo;re looking for without attracting termites.</p></div>

Q: Can adding new sand fix paver drainage issues?

• <div><p>Not typically. A paver patio drainage problem generally requires a landscaping fix that can include a drainage pipe or dry well capable of handling the amount of runoff in your yard. </p></div>

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*The Angi rating for Mulch And Topsoil Service companies in Alamo, 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 December 04, 2025

Reviewed in July 2021
Alejandro and Ignacio made our dream backyard and front yard happen! They were incredible to work with – very professional, timely, friendly, and gave high-quality service. They kept us informed of the progress at all times and we are in love with the outcome! We continue to receive many...
AGS Landscape
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Reviewed in September 2020
Decent job on the putting greens. Follow up and repair, not good. More than half the decomposed granite area that is supposed to be compacted is just loose sand. They told me they would cover the garden with mulch, never did. When I sent a reminder text, they ignored the text. They left bulky...
New Sky Tree Service, Inc.
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Reviewed in June 2017
I am thrilled with the work completed by Johnson's Tree Care, which included: major thinning on a neglected oak tree, balancing/pruning of a large Japanese maple & blue spruce, plus balancing of (3) year old crepe myrtles. Robert Regalado, sales manager, was wonderful to work with. Communication...
Johnson's Tree Care Inc
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Reviewed in January 2016
We asked Erik to trim, mulch and re-landscape the front and back yards of our house this past fall. These were in great need of attention. He was responsive, professional, punctual and his crew were excellent. We were very pleased with the cost and with the services provided. We also had him...
Dreamscape Designs, LLC
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Reviewed in May 2015
I submitted the project through snapfix. The estimator came out at the scheduled time and was super friendly. He gave me a couple options to either trim the tree for $800 or remove the tree for $1100. He said I would probably be two years before the tree would grow back to where it was and...
Traverso Tree Service, Inc
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Reviewed in November 2014
Previously, I hired him to remove dead tree and two other trees (one for free). Then, I realized the soil is exposed to the air and I request to get some mulch to cover up the lawn at the back yard. Oscar promised he will give me a truck when he have some mulch or chips. He did fulfill the...
Oscar's Expert Tree Service
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Reviewed in April 2013
He and his two employees showed up exactly at the time they said they would. They performed all the tasks that I had contracted for and specifically spent quite a long time on the climbing rose issue. When they left, both front and back yard were clean with no cuttings or dirt left behind....
Landscaping Bay Area
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Reviewed in March 2013
I took advantage of Julie's one day landscape design program. It's actually more than one-day but only one day of face time. Julie interviewed us over the phone about what we were looking for in a design, assigned us some homework to find landscapes that spoke to us online or in...
JULIE ORR DESIGN
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Reviewed in June 2012
I had such high hopes for A Scape Artist, given the positive reviews, but I should have paid more attention to the negative ones and early warning signs. Like one other reviewer said, it took forever to get a quote from him. As the other reviewer suspected, once work began, it was slow and...
A Scape Artist
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Reviewed in May 2011
UPDATE July 2011 Mr. Poling resumed contact in June 2011. He agreed to fix everything, including ripping out and repouring the concrete patio, stepping stones, and firepit. He stripped and re-stained the deck. He re-sodded the dead areas from the chemicals. He replaced the plants that didn't...
BEST LAWNS
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