Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Summerset, SD

Yes, you need to use landscape fabric under your rubber mulch. Rubber mulch doesn’t decompose, so putting landscape fabric down can work as a barrier between your mulch and soil, preventing your mulch from mixing with your soil and leaching chemicals like aluminum, cadmium, and copper into it. Also, since weeds can occasionally get through rubber mulch, using landscape fabric as a second form of protection can increase its effectiveness. 

If your mulch delivery company or landscaper installs mulch around multiple spots in your yard (especially if they are more complex areas), feel free to tip up to $15 a person. However, there's no need to tip for a standard mulch drop done in your driveway or on a tarp.

Gravel’s biggest pro is its cost-effectiveness. For example, a gravel road or driveway is much more affordable than its asphalt counterpart. Gravel is also much less expensive than the cost of pouring a concrete slab if you’re building a patio or similar structure.

However, regarding comfort and convenience, gravel is far less foot-friendly than smoother substances like concrete or asphalt. It’s also more of a challenge to drive on and may kick up dust, resulting in the inevitable need for extra car washes. Lastly, there’s a chance it might move with rain or snow.

A well-maintained lawn has the most ROI when it comes to landscaping. Other enhancements, such as building a deck or patio and adding a front walkway, follow suit, but aiming to enhance the basics is where your home can truly shine and increase its profitability. Not only does it increase curb appeal, but it sets potential homebuyers up for landscaping success when they have a healthy, clean slate of grass to begin with.