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There are two main times of the year to spread mulch—mid-spring and late fall. Spring mulching protects new seedlings as the soil warms up and the rainy season begins. Fall mulching insulates the soil and regulates its temperature as the first frosts arrive.

If you’re mulching in the fall, aim to lay down the material right after the first frost, which will vary by climate. Late October and early November are good time ranges to aim for. Try to lay down your mulch after a light rainfall to lock in moisture for root growth through the winter.

Determine whether you have any other heavy, bulky, or oddly-shaped items you’d like to relocate, such as a washing machine or other appliance. Since many professional moving companies may charge minimum fees for their services, you could end up paying the same cost to move a refrigerator as you would to move the fridge and a second or third item.

Landscape boulders, especially porous stones like sandstone or granite, can crack or break over time. Cracks occur when water seeps into the surface of the stone and freezes. The risk is highest when it rains during the day and temperatures freeze overnight since the moisture has time to penetrate deeper into the rock before expanding.