Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Central Vly, UT

Topsoil provides plants with essential nutrients, water, and air for healthy root growth. It offers a rich ecosystem of microorganisms that improve soil quality and structure. For existing lawns, ¼ inch of topdressing can enhance root growth and support new seed. For gardens, two inches of topsoil can promote strong growth and crops.

Keeping your gravel driveway beautiful—or any gravel structure for that matter—does call for regular maintenance. You may occasionally need to add more gravel to low areas if you notice any pooling after rainfall. Gravel might also become excessively dusty over time. You can compact it with a mechanical compactor, which you can rent for around $80 to $85 per day.

To minimize maintenance requirements for your gravel, it’s important to ensure your land is properly graded before installing the gravel. It’s also helpful to lay landscaping fabric beforehand to keep it in place.

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.

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.