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Mulch costs an average of $15 to $80 per yard, depending on the type you choose and whether you have it delivered and installed by a pro. Generally, it’s cheaper to buy mulch in bulk and have it delivered to your home. However, bags are the more cost-effective choice if you only have a small area to mulch.

Colored mulch can be bad for plants in that it robs them of nitrogen as it depletes the soil to break itself down. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to test your soil to check the nitrogen levels. If the nitrogen levels are low, use fertilizer with extra nitrogen or switch to regular mulch.

Another downside of colored mulch is if it’s heavily contaminated, it can contaminate the soil and damage your plants. To avoid this, look for the MSC certification logo on the mulch bag before purchasing.

As a base, you should use a fertilizer with a 5-5-5 NPK ratio (5% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus, and 5% potassium). You may need a different ratio depending on what your soil is lacking, but a soil test can help determine the perfect amount.

If you have a large area of brush and vegetation to clear, forestry mulching may be the best option. This method works well for relatively flat areas that don’t have many large rocks or mature trees to clear. Forestry mulching is a relatively quick process that improves soil health, reduces fire risk, and leaves behind usable mulch.