mulch aspects

Learn me on some mulch. What kind should I get, hire much should I pay, should u have to do it every year vs. Every other year, etc.

We paid a lot to have it done last year, and it looks like shit already. If I buy better stuff is it less likely that I would have to do it every year?

You really need as much as it will take to get it like 2-3 inches thick. Natural stuff will not look as good in a few months. Have to get it dyed for sure.

I don't think the depot sale is going on anymore. If you need a to of it then get someone to bring a truck full if you have a wheelbarrow.

That should do you for a year or so. Next batch can go right on top.

Take a rake and try turning it over/stir it up, if they put enough down, that might be all you need to do.

The plastic stuff is worth the extra cost.

LoneWolfSparty wrote:The plastic stuff is worth the extra cost.

That statement built this great land.

I.B. Fine wrote:Take a rake and try turning it over/stir it up, if they put enough down, that might be all you need to do.

agree. but roundup the weeds first. and keep the kids inside. wait a week and then till and overturn what is in your landscape beds already. It will look as fresh as buying new mulch. if adding new mulch, use triple cut hardwood.

Use one of these bad boys when tilling.     Landscape will look good as new.  

Cedar mulch is best cuz it helps keep insects away from the house.  It turns gray eventually.  Every 2 years.

http://www.westlakesod.com/Pages/default.aspx

Thanks B-T. Good tips.

I like black mulch. It makes the flowerbeds stand out.

Because of the heat and sun we have to do it twice a year here. I pay $400 to have it done in our current house.

GirbaudJeans wrote:Because of the heat and sun we have to do it twice a year here. I pay $400 to have it done in our current house.

Where do you live Beverly Hills?

I suppose I could see it costing that much with all the labor involved plus delivery.

I fill up my utility trailer (one of the best investments I have ever made) with cedar mulch. I don't think I have the motivation this year though as I have been dealing with branches for the last month from the winter storms. If I do I might get the free wood chips from the township for a full circle recycle.

Herbie Green wrote:

Where do you live Beverly Hills?

I suppose I could see it costing that much with all the labor involved plus delivery.

I fill up my utility trailer (one of the best investments I have ever made) with cedar mulch. I don't think I have the motivation this year though as I have been dealing with branches for the last month from the winter storms. If I do I might get the free wood chips from the township for a full circle recycle.

I hate yard work. I hate yard work when it's 100+ degrees out even more so I pay a company to do it.

We have the cloth stuff beneath the mulch. Last couple years we have just added "brown" much to what we have, mix it up. Looks good. It is starting to become "dirt like" consistency though. Weeds are growing in it. Might have to replace all of it. ug.

My quote was 675 for double shredded hardwood, 3" deep. Will require about 15 yards. I'm going to get another quote but seems pretty reasonable to me if it's decent stuff. Most places around here charge about $30/yard + delivery is probably going to be in the 50-75 range. So I'm paying $150-$175 in labor to avoid having to spend a weekend spreading 15 yards of mulch. Sign me up.

Is double shredded hard wood pretty decent? We don't like the red or black shit.

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:My quote was 675 for double shredded hardwood, 3" deep. Will require about 15 yards. I'm going to get another quote but seems pretty reasonable to me if it's decent stuff. Most places around here charge about $30/yard + delivery is probably going to be in the 50-75 range. So I'm paying $150-$175 in labor to avoid having to spend a weekend spreading 15 yards of mulch. Sign me up.

Is double shredded hard wood pretty decent? We don't like the red or black shit.

I was gonna say earlier, just like ordering dirt: however much you think you need?.....its not enough, order a bit more. In my case, when we first moved into our house I walked it off, did the math, yada, yada, figured I needed 7 yards. Yeah, after that first time I found out that 9 yards was the real amount to have dropped in the drive.

The biggest growth trend out here in the NorthWest is just basic organic compost..which makes a lot of sense. Even though there is abundant barkdust or bark chips, they still go from reddish to brown to grey very quickly..whereas compost is readily available, is cheaper, turns to nice soil eventually, and stays pretty much black all the time and a tiny bit can be added to the top surface and can be fluffed-up to look fresh whenever you want.

I've been investing in the "bark rock" (like chunky bark) for the last several years as it doesn't decompose near as fast as bark dust, but it too turns color quickly and just means a huge re-investment every 2-3 years. I'm starting to build my own pile of sawdust with horse manure in it for compost anyway and will start sprinkling this down and treating with Roundup for weeds in the future.

I always just get the cypress since it's the cheapest. I wait for it to go on sale and buy about 20 bags once a year. Every once in a while I'll turn it over to keep it looking fresh.

I mulch a few beds at the Sakimano Estate... and around some trees. Otherwise, I just stay on top of weeding and watering - luckily we have quite a few shady areas so neither are too much of a problem.

I think I go with the cypress mulch - though I'm not sure. It's the brownish, deep orange-ish color one..

Robert J Sakimano wrote:I mulch a few beds at the Sakimano Estate... and around some trees. Otherwise, I just stay on top of weeding and watering - luckily we have quite a few shady areas so neither are too much of a problem.

I think I go with the cypress mulch - though I'm not sure. It's the brownish, deep orange-ish color one..

Is that the gluten free mulch, Bob?

goodbar wrote:

Is that the gluten free mulch, Bob?

I order mine with extra gluten..

Dyed mulch is pretty hideous looking. I can't believe people buy that crap and put it all over their yards.
While we're at it, stop pruning your boxwoods into little meatballs.

Anyone have experience putting down rocks (decent sized rocks and pretty thick) to avoid weeds? I'd think if the rock layer was thick enough the weeds would be few and far between

Phil McCrackin wrote:Dyed mulch is pretty hideous looking. I can't believe people buy that crap and put it all over their yards.
While we're at it, stop pruning your boxwoods into little meatballs.

better yet, dig up the boxwoods.. now.

Spartan Pride wrote:Anyone have experience putting down rocks (decent sized rocks and pretty thick) to avoid weeds? I'd think if the rock layer was thick enough the weeds would be few and far between

I applaud you for wanting your house to look like Burger King..

Spartan Pride wrote:Anyone have experience putting down rocks (decent sized rocks and pretty thick) to avoid weeds? I'd think if the rock layer was thick enough the weeds would be few and far between

Round river rock, yes..lava rock like Circa 1994..no

Rocks are great for the ability to blow shit off with a powerful leaf blower, too.

AvgMSUJoe wrote:We have the cloth stuff beneath the mulch. Last couple years we have just added "brown" much to what we have, mix it up. Looks good. It is starting to become "dirt like" consistency though. Weeds are growing in it. Might have to replace all of it. ug.

Fabric under mulch is a big no-no. Fabric goes under rocks.

By-Tor wrote:

Fabric under mulch is a big no-no.  Fabric goes under rocks.  

Why? It works... Year 6 and no real weed problems.

(although starting this year because of the depth and consistency of previous year's mulch degrading.)

I just wanted to be part of the first BTP about yard mulch in the history of the board.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
I applaud you for wanting your house to look like Burger King..

I, unlike many other great Americans, cant afford to put massive amounts of mulch on my yard every year. I have a pretty huge area I want to cover.

Sponge Worthy wrote:

Round river rock, yes..lava rock like Circa 1994..no

Rocks are great for the ability to blow shit off with a powerful leaf blower, too.

So you're saying round river rock will do a good job with weeds and lava rock like circa 1994 won't?

AvgMSUJoe wrote:
Why? It works... Year 6 and no real weed problems.

(although starting this year because of the depth and consistency of previous year's mulch degrading.)

No real weed problems has nothing to do with having fabric. Weeds will germinate on top of the fabric into the mulch and grow. Roots will then start growing through the fabric becoming a pain to pull. Also, the fabric doesn't allow the mulch to decompose into the soil thus leaving you with just layers of old mulch in top of fabric. Not ideal for planting. There isn't one reputable landscaper that would recommend fabric under mulch.

Guys you can't stop weeds. You can't. You can however prevent tons of them. Then it's up to you.

Don't put fabric under the mulch just out down a thick layer of mulch and weed from time to time.

If you need tons of mulch buy a truck full and have it delivered. It's really not that expensive if you take the time to spread it yourself.

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:My quote was 675 for double shredded hardwood, 3" deep. Will require about 15 yards. I'm going to get another quote but seems pretty reasonable to me if it's decent stuff. Most places around here charge about $30/yard + delivery is probably going to be in the 50-75 range. So I'm paying $150-$175 in labor to avoid having to spend a weekend spreading 15 yards of mulch. Sign me up.

Is double shredded hard wood pretty decent? We don't like the red or black shit.

2nd quote came in for $575 for 8 yards.

I think I know who does a good job and who doesn't.

By-Tor wrote:

No real weed problems has nothing to do with having fabric.    Weeds will germinate on top of the fabric into the mulch and grow.  Roots will then start growing through the fabric becoming a pain to pull.   Also, the fabric doesn't allow the mulch to decompose into the soil thus leaving you with just layers of old mulch in top of fabric.     Not ideal for planting.   There isn't one reputable landscaper that would recommend fabric under mulch.

Eh, I've got mostly mulch over fabric expect for a few smaller areas with just mulch. The fabric areas are relatively weed free but in the other areas the weeds grow like crazy. I put a new layer of mulch on every year and weed once in a while. Yes, I still get weeds coming up through the mulch. Yes, sometimes it's pain in the ass to pull through the fabric. But the difference in the number of weeds makes up for it by a long shot.

From what I've found the mulch will decompose, it doesn't get into the soil, it just gets thinner. And I don't really give a shit what landscapers recommend, they don't have to pull weeds in my yard.

ROtown Sparty wrote:

Eh, I've got mostly mulch over fabric expect for a few smaller areas with just mulch.  The fabric areas are relatively weed free but in the other areas the weeds grow like crazy.  I put a new layer of mulch on every year and weed once in a while.  Yes, I still get weeds coming up through the mulch.  Yes, sometimes it's pain in the ass to pull through the fabric.  But the difference in the number of weeds makes up for it by a long shot.

From what I've found the mulch will decompose, it doesn't get into the soil, it just gets thinner.  And I don't really give a shit what landscapers recommend, they don't have to pull weeds in my yard.  

That fabric is the spawn of satan.

I bought a wood chipper this year. It makes AWESOME mulch. The only thing I did wrong was get one that only accepts 3" branches. I end up with a stack of stuff that I have to burn that I would like to chip.

I originally added leaves to the hopper on the top and they turned to dust. Once I stayed with just wood, the chips were perfect. For my other buildings I have to have it delivered as we need 10-12 yards at a time. I always buy natural and it lasts for about two to three years.

MasonGuy wrote:I bought a wood chipper this year.  It makes AWESOME mulch.  The only thing I did wrong was get one that only accepts 3" branches.  I end up with a stack of stuff that I have to burn that I would like to chip.  

I originally added leaves to the hopper on the top and they turned to dust.  Once I stayed with just wood, the chips were perfect.  For my other buildings I have to have it delivered as we need 10-12 yards at a time.  I always buy natural and it lasts for about two to three years.

after the ice storm, I could've used a wood chipper.. my back yard was a wreck.

Thankfully, the City of EL did a few free curbside pickups early in the spring..

I wanted to have a nice yard, then we got a puppy who thinks mulch is a tasty treat. Any tips for a mulch that dogs dont like to eat?

By-Tor wrote:

No real weed problems has nothing to do with having fabric.    Weeds will germinate on top of the fabric into the mulch and grow.  Roots will then start growing through the fabric becoming a pain to pull.   Also, the fabric doesn't allow the mulch to decompose into the soil thus leaving you with just layers of old mulch in top of fabric.     Not ideal for planting.   There isn't one reputable landscaper that would recommend fabric under mulch.

Agree with this. Mulch isn't going to stop weeds (though it may slow weed growth a bit). The point of using mulch around plants is that it helps retain moisture and as the mulch breaks down it provides nutrients to the soil.

Mulch won't do either as well if it is installed on top of a barrier/fabric, and the barrier isn't going to stop weeds anyways.