Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Malvern, IA

A light layer of mulch can help protect a tree, retain moisture, and keep the soil healthy. However, it’s important to avoid over-mulching or piling the mulch up around the trunk of a tree, a practice notoriously called “volcano mulching.” That piled mulch can increase the chances of rot and disease on the tree trunk as well as overwhelming the soil, which needs access to a certain amount of air. Topped trees have it hard enough: mulch sparingly while they heal.

Since you’ll likely be digging a trench to install your yard drainage system, this is a good time to complete other tasks that involve digging up your yard, including: Sprinkler system installation Lawn reseeding Regrading your yard Redesigning your landscaping If your drain is under a walkway or driveway, your contractor must also remove those materials. This is a great time to consider upgrading your hardscaping features, especially if they’re nearing the end of their life span.

There are a few different landscaping projects that can help reduce landscaping costs overall. For one, you can plant everything from seed and watch your yard grow rather than purchasing plants. You can also repurpose old materials from other home projects and do the bulk of your landscaping by yourself instead of hiring a professional to cut down labor costs.

Some drawbacks of forestry mulching include leaving behind a thick mulch layer, not being suitable for extremely rocky areas, creating conditions that attract pests, and not being able to fully remove large trees and stumps. You may need to pay extra to have larger trees felled and stumps ground in order to fully clear your land.