Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Williamsburg, NM

It depends on the model of your pool. You’ll always have to level the topsoil, but most vinyl-lined pools require an additional 1- to 2-inch layer of sand to protect the liner. This way, when a foot kicks down to the bottom of your pool, it’s not scraping the liner against the hard ground. If your pool isn’t vinyl-lined, you can skip this step or add a layer of another base material, like decomposed granite. Always check your manufacturer’s instructions before you begin.

The best mulches for trees are wood chips, bark nuggets, or pine straw. Depending on your goals, you may want to avoid using plastic, stone, rubber, or wet grass clippings. Plastic mulch prevents water from reaching the mulched areas of your tree, stones don’t offer any nutritional benefits to the soil, rubber can release byproducts into the soil when it decomposes, and wet grass clippings can lead to rot. 

Plastic may prove beneficial in cold climates in the winter, but wood chips are the ideal option for most environments.

Mulching any time of year can be beneficial, so you can choose based on your preference. Most homeowners avoid the winter and summer because of the uncomfortable temperatures, so spring and fall are often best. Try not to mulch right before heavy rainfall or a big storm is expected, as wind and runoff can move newly laid mulch around and make more work for you.

To take advantage of any deals on ordering gravel in bulk, it can also be beneficial in the long run to work on other gravel projects you plan to complete someday. These may include filling in a gravel driveway, building a patio, constructing a fire pit area , planning a garden walkway, or using stone instead of mulch in your flower beds.