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Replace organic mulch every one to two years, depending on the variety. Wood chips and straw, for example, will last a couple of years, while grass clippings and pine needles need replacing every several months. Inorganic mulch—such as rock and rubber chips—can stay in place for up to four years, depending on erosion and general garden upkeep. 

The best size river rock for your landscaping project depends on how you plan to use the stones. Generally, most river rocks used in landscaping are between 1/2 and 8 inches in diameter. For walkways and pathways, smaller rocks between 1 and 3 inches are suitable. For water features, medium-sized stones from 2 to 5 inches often work best. Garden beds can benefit from a mix of medium and large stones, ranging from 3 to 8 inches. These sizes can cover applications like decorative flower beds and drainage areas around foundations or retaining walls. For added visual interest, landscapers sometimes intersperse smaller river rocks with large boulders.

While you don’t need to put anything down before mulch, you can apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed growth. As long as you remove weeds before you spread mulch, you should be in the clear. But a herbicide is something that you can put down before mulch as an extra layer of protection.

There are a few ways you can reduce the cost of mulch delivery, including the following:

• Place your order in the winter months for spring delivery

• Choose a more affordable mulch color

• Opt for a more affordable type of mulch

• Place larger orders to get a lower cost per cubic foot

• Opt to lay your own mulch to save on installation costs

• Add on other delivery or landscaping services to save on travel costs

• Prepare a single delivery site in the front of your property, and use a wheelbarrow to move smaller quantities