What is the purpose of mulch and when do you mulch?

Mulch serves two purposes. It is used to insulate plants. It also provides decoration in a plant bed. Most homeowners will wait until the leaf litter is removed before applying a three inch layer of mulch or pine straw.

What is a 'cubic yard' and how do I decide how many I need to order?

One cubic yard of mulch covers 100 square feet at three inches deep. To decide how many cubic yards of mulch to order, use the calculator provided on this site. You can also use a standard equation where you find the total square footage of the beds you want to cover. Then divide the square footage by 100 to get the number of cubic yards required.

What is this yellow stuff in my mulch?

This is a very common Yellow Slime Mold. It is not dangerous, though it may not be attractive. When the mulch traps moisture in the soil, it encourages the growth of this mold. If you want to remove it, pick the entire piece up, being careful not to break it apart. This might release the spores into the air, starting the life cycle of the slime mold again. Dispose of it in a plastic bag, to prevent the spores from spreading further.

What product should I use when starting or building up a plant bed?

Our Landscape Soil is perfect for starting beds. It is a rich blend of 50% compost and 50% sand and soil. The compost is made from food grade production residuals, yard trimmings, and aged sawdust. One cubic yard of soil covers 100 square feet at a 2 inch depth.