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You should add 1 to 4 inches of mulch, depending on your garden type and needs. Keep in mind that no amount of mulch can completely prevent weeds, but a heavier coverage (closer to 4 inches) can suppress weeds enough that you are only seeing them sprout every few weeks. Finer mulch prevents weeds more effectively than large mulch, so if you’re using mulched leaves or shredded bark, 1 to 2 inches will likely suffice, while 3 to 4 inches is best for larger mulch, like bark chips or straw.

The hydroseed mix—known as a slurry—helps grass seed take root in many ways. Water combines with the mulch, allowing the grass seed to stay moist while grounded in the soil. The extra fertilizer then provides the boost the seed needs to flourish. In just a few weeks, you'll be ready to break out the lawnmower again.

There are many options to eradicate weeds right down to the roots. Vinegar works, but it takes a week or so to do its thing, and the same goes for many commercially available herbicides. Boiled water is a quick way to kill off roots, or you can pull up weeds at the root.

It usually takes between two weeks and a month for weeds to fully die off after you spray them with herbicide, but they will start to wilt within the first week. Different weed sprays produce different results, with some working more quickly and effectively than others. Similarly, some weeds are killed more easily than others. Consult your weed removal pro for an exact timeline based on their weed removal method.