Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Yachats, OR

Yes, a cubic yard of dirt will fit in most standard-size pickup trucks. However, consider the truck’s payload as well as the truck bed dimensions before loading it up with dirt. Soil can be quite heavy, and if the total weight of a yard of dirt exceeds your truck’s payload capacity, you risk damaging the chassis and suspension.

Wood from black walnut, magnolia, eucalyptus, red maple, and invasive species like tree of heaven are not recommended for mulching. These trees release allelochemicals that can suppress plant growth. Some homeowners, however, use wood from these trees for mulching if it is less potent due to age or concentration, or if the plants are not as sensitive to them.

The amount of soil you’ll need around your foundation depends on a variety of factors, but in general, you want a 6-inch decline over the first 10 feet extending out from your foundation. How much soil it will take to achieve that will depend on the current grade of the yard, how much foundation is exposed, and the size of your home.

A light layer of mulch can help protect a tree, retain moisture, and keep the soil healthy. However, it’s important to avoid over-mulching or piling the mulch up around the trunk of a tree, a practice notoriously called “volcano mulching.” That piled mulch can increase the chances of rot and disease on the tree trunk as well as overwhelming the soil, which needs access to a certain amount of air. Topped trees have it hard enough: mulch sparingly while they heal.