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>

Top 10 Best Mulch and topsoil pros in Fair Oaks, CA

Gravel or Loose Fill Paving Install, Spread or Scrape

Verified Reviews for Mulch And Topsoil Service pros in Fair Oaks, CA

*The Angi rating for Mulch And Topsoil Service companies in Fair Oaks, 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.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Mulch And Topsoil Service companies in Fair Oaks, 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.

Last update on August 06, 2025

Reviewed in February 2022
Lavish Gardens was great to work with for the design and installation of our backyard. They were very responsive and did a great job of communicating and checking with us prior to finalization of each phase of work. I would highly recommend them for anyone looking for landscape design and...
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Reviewed in January 2021
Mike has built an excellent team, both in the office and in the field. The on-site team leader was helpful in every respect if a change was requested and the team always delivered on time ! Mike also provided a helpful brochure to the neighbors and there were no complaints - even during demo...
LAVISH GARDENS LANDSCAPE
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Reviewed in June 2020
It went very well. Beautiful design with quality plants and tree. Great communication between ourselves, the owner, crew chief and workers. Their hard work, punctuality and flexibility made it an easy process with a stunning front yard.
LAVISH GARDENS LANDSCAPE
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Reviewed in March 2015
We worked with Myriah to begin with on the design, plant list, placement of different items, timeline and cost. Myriah was very patient with us and redid the design three different times to get things where we wanted and what we wanted. They worked on cutting the cost as much as possible, yet...
LAVISH GARDENS LANDSCAPE
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Reviewed in September 2015
WOW! I can't say enough wonderful things about the team at Lavish Gardens. We had our back yard COMPLETELY landscaped from a fairly large dirt lot into our dream backyard oasis. We able to speak directly with the owner/team members throughout our complete backyard landscaping. We had the...
LAVISH GARDENS LANDSCAPE
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Reviewed in November 2018
I can't say enough about how happy I am with the team, the work and the end results. Dan and his team were very professional, knowledgeable, dependable and a pleasure to work with from beginning to end. Communication was great by all involved and I truly appreciate their patience with me, as we...
LAVISH GARDENS LANDSCAPE
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Reviewed in December 2019
We love Lavish Gardens! When we first moved into our newly built house in Rocklin, the yard was just dirt and weeds. We met with several other landscaping companies, but Mike at Lavish Gardens was by far the most professional. The work that Mike’s company and team did was performed as planned...
LAVISH GARDENS LANDSCAPE
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Reviewed in August 2012
We completely re-landscaped our front and back yards. This required total demolition of the former hard-scape and removal of all existing plant material, followed by installation of new flagstone patios, walkways, front yard stairs, plantings (trees, shrubs, lawn, annuals and perenials),...
LAVISH GARDENS LANDSCAPE
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Reviewed in November 2014
Myriah and Steve from Lavish Gardens were great to work with. This job was a bit different for them, as we were working off of a design plan prepared by another landscape architect and I was more involved in the design tweaks and decision-making than most of their other clients. They were very...
LAVISH GARDENS LANDSCAPE
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Reviewed in May 2018
I cannot say enough great things about Lavish Gardens Landscape! I would rate them more than 100 stars! From our first meeting with Michael and Dan, to Erin's beautiful design, to Michelle and Dan's coordination, to Ivan and his wonderful crew, the entire process was a positive experience. It is...
LAVISH GARDENS LANDSCAPE
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Mulch and topsoil pros in Fair Oaks

Oak & Stone Constructions

Oak & Stone Constructions

28 local quotes requested

2 years of experience

Our mission is to be a provider that brings back the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime once you see our quality work. We're passionate about delivering an exceptional experience. When you hire us, you're hiring a team of professionals who are trained and skilled to deliver lasting value to your home. As a locally owned and operated business we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for customer satisfaction. We won't leave until the job is done right! Call or click to schedule an estimate today!

Customers say: Super punctual

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

145 local quotes requested

We specialize in maintaining your landscape. #Mowing #Blowing #Edging #Trimming #Pruning #Weed Control #Sprinkler Repair #Clean Ups We guarantee your satisfaction and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out our services offered and call or click to schedule a free estimate today!

"Gutierrez Gardening did a super great job. They cut down grass on a 1/2 acre in quick fashion and did a few other things that I didn't expect. I will surely hire them again and recommend them to others."

Edward M on July 2025

Pablos Landscaping Services

Pablos Landscaping Services

Customers say: Quality work

239 local quotes requested

9 years of experience

We specialize in everything that has to do with landscaping. Call us or message us for a free estimate today!

"Shrub removed quickly"

Loretta H on March 2025

We specialize in everything that has to do with landscaping. Call us or message us for a free estimate today!

"Shrub removed quickly"

Loretta H on March 2025

O & C Landscaping

4909 Date Avenue, Unit 12

4909 Date Avenue, Unit 12

Customers say: Quick response

7 years of experience

Free onsite estimate

Here at company O & C Landscaping we are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of quality home improvement services. You will find us to be competitively priced with close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!

"Oscar did an awesome job with our project. He showed on time, completed the work in 2 days as promised and the finished product was exactly what I wanted."

Thomas M on January 2022

"Oscar did an awesome job with our project. He showed on time, completed the work in 2 days as promised and the finished product was exactly what I wanted."

Thomas M on January 2022

GTO Lawn Care

5928 67th St

New on AngiNew on Angi•

Approved Pro

GTO Lawn Care

5928 67th St

New on AngiNew on Angi•

Approved Pro

4 years of experience

Free onsite estimate

We are extremely passionate about the work that we do. You can depend on us to provide a high quality service at a fair and honest price. We understand that the future of our business depends upon our reputation and that is why customer service is by far our highest priority. If you are looking for a professional you can trust, please call today to schedule a no-obligation estimate!

Maintaining and revitalizing outdoor spaces is our passion. We thrive in basic lawn care, gardening, hauling, and more essential property maintenance work. Here to resolve any outdoor needs. Ready to serve you with our applied handyman services.

Nationwide Environmental

4470 Yankee Hill Road #200

5.00(

)

Nationwide Environmental

4470 Yankee Hill Road #200

5.00(

)

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

We are a small company specializing in all kinds of dirt work. Including land clearing, grading, trenching, debris removal, demolition, concrete removal, landscaping and much more. We get it right the first time.

"Absolutely wonderful service. They were responsive, on time, thorough, friendly and very professional."

AUBREE F on May 2023

"Absolutely wonderful service. They were responsive, on time, thorough, friendly and very professional."

AUBREE F on May 2023

Upstate Landscape and Hauling L.L.C.

No reviews

Upstate Landscape and Hauling L.L.C.

No reviews

4 years of experience

Dump runs Property clean ups Brush clearing Pruning Leaf blowing Mowing Trimming Gutter and drain cleaning Irrigation repair

4 years of experience

We offer quality service at an affordable price. Proudly serving the greater Lincoln and Roseville areas with all of your asphalt and junk removal needs. We specialize in Asphalt Sealing, driveway resurfacing, and asphalt repairs! Contact us today about an estimate! We accept calls 24/7!!

Gipson Window & Gutter Cleaning

919 Loletta Avenue

4.75(

)

Gipson Window & Gutter Cleaning

919 Loletta Avenue

4.75(

)

Customers say: Quick response

5 years of experience

Gipson window and gutter offers window cleaning, gutter cleaning, screen repair and new screens. We have 20 years of experience to help you with your home maintenance needs! We guarantee your satisfaction, and we won't leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Call or click for your FREE estimate today!

"Yes; now my home is safe."

Valerie S on October 2023

"Yes; now my home is safe."

Valerie S on October 2023

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Showing 1-10 of 73

FAQs for mulch and topsoil service projects in Fair Oaks, CA

Topsoil costs from $12 to $55 per cubic yard, 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.

Mulch costs anywhere from $30 to $150 per cubic yard, 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.

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.

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 resist termites 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.

Although it’s not required to lay anything under mulch, it can help to put landscape fabric or plastic weed barrier down and lay mulch 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.