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The best mulch type for your project depends on your landscape’s purpose and design. For landscaping, shredded hardwood, black mulch, and red mulch provide long-lasting beauty, adequate coverage, and affordability at $40 or less per cubic yard. Other excellent choices include bark, wood chips, compost or manure, and straw. Each option offers distinct benefits in nutrient delivery, weed control, and moisture retention, allowing you to match the mulch to your garden’s specific needs.

The recommended mulch depth is between two to three inches. Installing mulch at this depth helps trap moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate plant roots, ensuring vigorous garden health. Applying less than two inches diminishes protection, while more than three inches may suffocate the soil. Follow this guideline to achieve adequate coverage and strong plant development.

One cubic yard of mulch covers 100 square feet when applied at a 3-inch depth, 161 square feet at a 2-inch depth, and 324 square feet at a 1-inch depth. Use these figures to calculate the required amount for your project by matching the desired thickness to the total area.

The ideal time to lay mulch is during seasons that enhance its benefits–summer for improved moisture retention, fall to maintain soil warmth, winter to insulate perennials, and spring after the ground has thawed for optimal nutrient absorption and weed control. This seasonal approach helps maximize your mulch application's protective and aesthetic qualities.