What is the Cost of Mulch?

Mulch is incredibly important for plants. It essentially retains moisture which prevents your flower beds and garden from erosion. Although, if you are into DIY you can install mulch yourself, it is highly recommended to hire professional landscapers, such as Eden. This way, you can be assured of effective and quality work. 

The cost of mulch is also calculated in multiple other ways. Let’s take a closer look at the cost of mulch.

Mulch Cost by Type

The total cost of mulching will depend on the type of mulch you use. For instance, pine bark mulch is significantly cheaper at $28 per cubic yard, while rubber mulch can cost as high as $218 per cubic yard. 

Inorganic mulch, such as tumbled glass or rubber, cost remarkably more than organic mulch, like that made from bark, hemlock or pine straw. 

The average cost of different types of mulches is:

• Pine Bark – $28 per cubic yard
• Pine Straw – $37 per cubic yard
• Shredded Hardwood Mulch – $45 per cubic yard 
• Tea Tree Mulch – $47 per cubic yard
• Hemlock Mulch – $50 per cubic yard 
• Redwood Mulch – $65 per cubic yard
• Bark Mulch – $72 per cubic yard
• Wood Chips – $78 per cubic yard 
• Cedar Mulch – $103 per cubic yard 
• Cypress Mulch – $110 per cubic yard 
• Pine Needles – $142 per cubic yard
• Rubber Mulch – $218 per cubic yard

Factors that affect Cost of Mulch

Apart from the type of mulch, the mulch’s longevity, the quantity you buy and delivery fees are some of the other factors that affect the overall cost of mulch. 

Delivery Charges

The average cost of mulch delivery is between $47 to $133. Most mulch suppliers usually charge a fixed delivery fee to ship the mulch to your home. However, if your home is at a significant distance from the supplier, then you may have to pay additional fees for mulch delivery.

Mulch Quantity 

If you order mulch in bulk, say a truckload, then it will cost you comparatively less, as low as $10 to $20 per cubic yard. 

Mulch suppliers provide bagged mulch according to cubic feet. However, when you buy mulch by a truckload, it’s known as buying in bulk, which is measured in cubic yards. Landscaping experts highly recommend buying in bulk if you can, to get the best rate. It is highly recommended to buy mulch in bulk as you will need it frequently for your yard or garden. Besides, the cost of mulch decreases as the quantity increases. 

Here are the average costs of buying mulch in bulk:

• 1 to 3 cubic yards – $40 to $70
• 4 to 6 cubic yards – $30 to $40 
• 7 to 10 cubic yards – $10 to $20
• 10 + cubic yards ‒ $10 to $20 

Area

Simply put, the greater the area you need to mulch, the more mulch you will need. You should also decide the thickness of the mulch layer. 

For instance, if you want to spread a 1-inch thick layer of mulch over an area of 324 sq. ft. then you will need around 1 cubic yard of mulch. In the same way, if you want to spread a 2-inch thick layer of mulch on the same 324 sq. ft. area, then you will need to buy 2 cubic yards of mulch. 

So, make sure to get an accurate measurement of the area to be mulched so you can buy sufficient quantities of mulch. 

Maintenance 

Some types of mulch are more durable than others, and need to be replaced less frequently. Organic mulch, such as bark, tends to decompose completely within a year and needs to be replaced. On the other hand, inorganic types of mulch are more expensive than organic mulch but they don’t need to be replaced as often as they take several years to disintegrate completely. 

According to landscaping experts, it is recommended to buy inorganic mulch if you want to save money in the long-term. 

Mulch Blowing

Professional landscapers usually charge around $38 to $58 per cubic yard for blowing mulch. 

This process involves using special equipment that blows much through long hoses or tubes. This is an excellent and convenient choice if you don’t want to bother with the work and want it to get done quickly. This is also ideal for areas where you cannot go with a wheelbarrow. 

Weeding

On an average, homeowners spend around $65 to $120 for weed control. Professional gardeners tend to charge around $30 to $60 per hour for weeding. 

It is recommended to handle weed growth in the yard before laying the mulch. If the area to be weeded is small, then you can do it on your own over an afternoon. However, for larger areas, it is always advisable to hire professional gardeners to take care of weeds. 

Edging

Edging is also known as curbing. Typically, an edging job costs anywhere between $750 to $1,600, and drastically improves the curb appeal. 

Edging helps to keep the mulch in place and prevents it from being blown away by wind or rains. Edging also creates a distinct line between grass and curb using rocks, bricks or wood as curbing material. 

DIY Mulching Cost

If you have the equipment required for mulching and you need to mulch a flower bed or two, then you can do it yourself. The average overall cost of DIY mulching comes to around:

• Garden trowel – $9
• Gardening gloves – $14 
• Face Mask – $14 (box of 25-50 disposable masks)
• Shovel – $24 
• Landscape rake – $57 
• Wheelbarrow – $90
• Total average cost – USD 208

Conclusion

Mulching is incredibly important for a flourishing garden or yard. It costs between $17 to $68 per cubic yard, which comes to $2 to $5.50 per bag. It is highly recommended to hire professional landscapers, such as Eden to ensure an even and effective layer of mulch.