Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Hartington, NE

The hydroseed mix—known as a slurry—helps grass seed take root in many ways. Water combines with the mulch, allowing the grass seed to stay moist while grounded in the soil. The extra fertilizer then provides the boost the seed needs to flourish. In just a few weeks, you'll be ready to break out the lawnmower again.

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 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.

Topsoil should go down first. If the topsoil is next to your house, make sure the grade slopes away from the house to keep water from pooling against your foundation and possibly leaking into your basement or crawl space. Don’t cover your decorative landscape mulch with topsoil as that defeats the purpose of laying down the mulch. If you’re trying to create a certain soil composition to improve plant growth, you’ll likely want compost mixed into the topsoil instead of mulch. Over time, any decorative wood mulch will simply decompose under the topsoil.