How-to
How much mulch is too much
September 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Mulch protects plants at the right depth and quietly kills them at the wrong one. What we lay, how deep, and why volcano mulching around trees is the most common yard mistake we see.
Two to three inches. That is it.
Two to three inches holds moisture, blocks weed light and keeps soil temperature steady. Past four inches, water starts running off the top instead of soaking in and roots move up into the mulch layer where they dry out.
Never pile mulch against trunks or siding
Mulch cones stacked against a tree trunk hold moisture against the bark, invite rot and rodents, and encourage girdling roots. The flare at the base of the trunk should always be visible.
Keep mulch a few inches off house siding too — it is a moisture and pest bridge you do not want.
Refresh, do not just re-bury
If last year's mulch is still two inches deep, you need a one-inch top-up, not another full layer. We rake and fluff the old material first, then add only what the bed is short.
Cut the edge before the mulch goes down
A hand-cut edge gives the mulch a shoulder to sit against so it stays in the bed instead of washing onto the lawn after the first storm. It is also what makes a fresh bed read as sharp from the street.