How much does mulch cost?

How much does mulch cost?

The cost of mulch in major cities like New York and Los Angeles can vary significantly, ranging from $35 to $50 for a 2-4 cubic feet bag of mulch or from $30 to $300 per cubic yard for bulk orders. Be sure to include possible delivery fees and any additional services when comparing prices. The type of mulch you need will also impact the cost, with organic, decorative, and color-enhanced mulches usually costing more than basic varieties.

Different kinds of mulch and their costs

You can purchase mulch in bulk bags per cubic meter or square meter. A bulk bag is around 1,000 liters. If you want to know more about how much you will be spending to mulch your area, we have prepared a price list. You will learn more about the different types of mulch, their prices, and labor cost per yard of mulch. 

What factors affect the cost of mulch?

Depending on the type you want, different types of mulch have unique costs. You should also consider the size of the area you want to cover, the delivery, and installation, as they affect local mulch prices.

Mulch type

There are two kinds of mulch: organic mulch and inorganic mulch. Organic mulch is made of plant materials, compost, leaves, or grass clippings. On the other hand, inorganic mulch is rocks, gravel, plastic sheeting, and rubber. It is usually artificial and can last much longer. However, organic mulch can be a better weed barrier than the other and can contribute a lot to the quality of your soil.

Garden size

The amount you will be paying will depend on the area you want to be covered. Buying bulk mulch can be done per square meter, cubic meter, or bulk bag. The bigger your area is, the more mulch you will need. The recommended depth of mulch is 3 inches deep.

Delivery and installation

Bulk delivery charges for mulch are usually included in the price of your mulch as long as you reach their minimum limit.

You can hire a landscape contractor to help you with your mulch installation. Doing this without a pro to help is possible but difficult as it will require too much work on your part, including lots of heavy lifting. You can expect to pay $0.20 to $0.60 per sq ft. The labor cost per yard of mulch is $20 to $45.

How to choose the right kind of mulch

You want to use mulch in your garden to keep your soil’s moisture, thereby keeping the plants healthy, enriching your soil, and keeping the weeds at bay. It is still best to consult landscape designers to know what mulch to use. Here are a few things you should know about organic and inorganic mulch:

Bark and wood chips

Bark like cedar bark, shredded wood, wood chips, and hardwood chips are often waste products of paper and furniture. This is an eco-friendly choice and an excellent one for trees and shrubs. 

Watch out for pine in your mulch, as although this takes longer to disintegrate, it might harm flowers and vegetables due to its acidic content. Wood chips are also great for windy or rainy climates, as it is a heavier mulch.

Leaves and yard waste

Grass clippings and anything that shreds in the garden can be free mulch. It is good to use for flowers and vegetable beds. Watch out for clippings that were sprayed with pesticides, as this can hinder the growth of your garden, and look out for insects that might affect the growth of flowers.

Manure

This is considered one of the best ones to enrich the soil and lock in its moisture as it decomposes - all that is necessary for growth. It provides nutrients, especially during the flowering season. It suppresses weeds but does not prevent them. 

Straw or hay

This comes from wheat, barley, and oat. This is mainly used for preparing your garden for the planting season, and it works well in protecting your plants during winter. This is best used for a vegetable garden.

Tiger mulch

You will often find this inorganic mulch around children’s playgrounds or landscaped gardens. It prevents insects and fungus from growing in your area. It keeps weed from growing but is a bit on the expensive side.

Rocks and gravel

These are primarily used in landscaping. They retain heat and moisture, allowing water and air to reach the roots. They prevent weed growth as well. You might pay additional costs when transporting rocks and gravel due to their weight.

How is mulch installed?

There are many things you can do in your garden when you decide to have it landscaped. You can hire someone to hedge your bushes or trees or level your garden to make room and stabilize the placement of your plants. Of course, you can also hire someone to do the labor for your mulch.

Professionals use mulch blowing for a quick installment. Mulch blowing can cut the time in half compared to mulch installment by hand. It will also take only two people to install it. 

If you have finally decided on the type of mulch you want to use, you can go to Airtasker and look for someone to help you with its installment. Taskers will give you a quote within your budget, so you do not have to worry about how much a cubic yard of mulch costs!

How to book a mulching service on Airtasker

Are you interested in getting a quote from Airtasker? Here are some details to include when posting a task:

• Location - Provide your complete address so we can find the nearest service to you.
• Garden size - Make sure you get the correct measurement of your yard to estimate how much mulch per square meter is needed.
• Time - Let us know if this project is urgent.
• Additional services - Extra services might cost you more. But don’t worry! List anything else you need so Taskers can give you the correct quote.