Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Stockton, KS

If you’re using crushed stone or gravel as a base material, then yes, you should compact it to prevent movement of the top layers. For instance, if you don’t compact crushed stone or gravel and you lay pavers on top of them, the pavers will shift over time. However, if you’re using gravel or crushed stone as a top layer for aesthetic purposes, you might not want to compact the materials.

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.

You don’t have to spend a small fortune to make big changes to your landscape. You can achieve a lot for well under $5,000, especially if you like a DIY challenge. With a landscaping budget of $5,000, you could tackle a project like building a simple patio or deck, sprucing up your existing landscape with new plants, mulching, and tree trimming, or adding an impressive water feature. You’ll have no shortage of possibilities if you budget wisely.

Artificial turf usually requires some sort of base. If you’re installing the grass over soil, you’ll want to add a weed barrier (weeds can damage your fake grass) and an artificial grass sub-base . Typically, this is a mixture of gravel and sand, like crushed miscellaneous base (CMB) or decomposed granite. If you're placing turf over concrete, you can skip the sub base and use a padded underlayment.