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>

Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Portola, CA

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>

There are 1 highly-rated local mulch and topsoil pros.

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Verified Reviews for Mulch And Topsoil Service pros in Portola, CA

*The Angi rating for Mulch And Topsoil Service companies in Portola, 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 Portola, 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 October 06, 2025

Reviewed in November 2024
I can't say enough good things about Jesse & Hannah. They are extremely attentive to every detail on my property as well as with billing. They not only regularly maintain the landscaping of my vacation rental property but have also made significant upgrades to the landscaping too. They've...
Rough Terrain Landscapes
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Reviewed in May 2017
Everything we have done with Andy turned out well and he has always been willing to take calls or come back out to check on things. I'd recommend him based on his interest in doing things the right way at a competitive price.
New View Landscaping
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Reviewed in April 2022
Stay True Lawn Care was extremely helpful with the clean up of my yard. The crew was very professional, extremely polite and friendly, as well as reliable. This was not an easy job for them but the result of pruning my three large trees, trimming bushes along the house, removing weeds, as well...
Stay True Lawn Care
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Reviewed in October 2021
The drivers were very competent and courteous. They came when scheduled and navigated a tight delivery area with no problems. Their prices are very fair. I would totally use them again and recommend them to anyone.
Mike Clark Trucking
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Reviewed in April 2012
We have used Greenscapes more than once. In 2010, they provided a large yard clean-up and on-going yard services while I was undergoing chemotherapy. More recently, beginning in March 2012 and continuing, they have again provided yard services for us. The owner, Ryan, is courteous,...
Greenscapes
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Reviewed in August 2015
Very pleased with the service we got and the turn around time on our project. Brent walked us through everything, showed us plants to and was very knowledgable about all of them. He came up with a great design and was very happy with the result.
Ginger Valley Farms
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Find Mulch and topsoil pros in Portola

Barraza Construction, Inc.

11341 Crest View Drive

5.00(

)

•Approved Pro

Barraza Construction, Inc.

11341 Crest View Drive

5.00(

)

•Approved Pro

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

28 local quotes requested

Welcome to BARRAZA CONSTRUCTION INC! We take pride in the quality of work and customer satisfaction that we give each and every customer! We are known to pay exquisite attention to detail while making customer satisfaction our top priority. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you!

"Great service, everything exceed expectations."

Zack M on February 2023

"Great service, everything exceed expectations."

Zack M on February 2023

Rainbow Ranch Farms

P.O. Box 570

5.00(

)

Rainbow Ranch Farms

P.O. Box 570

5.00(

)

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

Growing organic, heritage, free range poultry without the use of any corn, soy, NO G.M.O's or wheat.

Fresh or freshly frozen poultry consumer-direct. Pick up is available at the farm in the High Desert. A small scale grass based, free range, pastured and permaculture farm.

Rainbow Ranch Farms produces premium meat for exceptional flavor and high density nutritional value, and NOT for industrialized yield, size and quick turn-over.

About Rainbow Ranch Farms Heritage Breeds: Heritage Breeds are old fashioned and historic breeds of animals such as those our ancestors raised and enjoyed. They are not genetically altered, T.G, genetically modified or "manufactured." In many cases, they are rare, endangered breeds, on the verge of extinction.

1. Rainbow Ranch Farms works toward the preservation of endangered species and old fashioned farming practices, which is good for us, our families, livestock, land and the environment.

2. Heritage breeds manage themselves and are quite hardy. They are natural breeders and do not require artificial insemination.

3. Heritage breeds have a robust and natural flavor and taste like meat has always been intended to taste and bursting with nutritional value.

4. Heritage breeds are happiest and healthiest when free ranged, grass fed and pastured without confinement, They need the fresh breeze and sunshine to maintain proper health.

Rainbow Ranch Farms is a Community Supported Agricultural Program (C.S.A.). We offer classes on permaculture farming, sustainbale farming, and poultry processing.

Rainbow Ranch Farms is a small scale permaculture farm growing premium meats without the use of medications, antibiotics, hormones or steroids.

Rainbow Ranch Farms is operated by farm members, volunteers and participants, all sharing similar values, philosophies and ideas on how food should be grown, harvested, processed and handled.

Rainbow Ranch Farms humane handling practices, are second-to-none.

True free range poultry are NOT vegetarians, in fact chickens naturally scratch, and eat worms, grubs and bugs. Healthy and delicious poultry is from happy chickens, grown naturally.