1. What kind of mulch do I need?
Hardwood Mulch – Single or double-ground mulch. Stringy in composition, this makes it resistant to wind and erosion.
Poplar/Oak Bark Mulch – Double-ground mulch. Stringy in composition, this makes it resistant to wind and erosion.
Pine Bark Mulch – comes in 3 varieties, which are ground, mini-chips, (1-2 in.) and nuggets (3-4 in). Camellias, roses, azaleas, and rhododendrons prefer pine bark because of its high acidity level. Ground pine bark is commonly used as a soil conditioner.
Dyed Red, Black and Brown – organically dyed mulches made from recycled materials that are mostly oak. Will not harm plants or animals.
Cedar Mulch – white cedar with hints of red, and it is also double-shredded. Great in dog pens because it is also a natural bug repellent. Retains less moisture than other mulches, so it works well for garden paths.
Cypress Chips – a 1/2 inch chip used for walkways, playground areas, and areas where a ground cover is needed that will hold up well. Cypress chips will last a long time if spread in a thick layer.
Tumble Safe Mulch – TUMBLESAFE™ playground mulch is manufactured specifically for playgrounds. It is made from 100% natural virgin hardwood fiber that is a by-product from the wood products industry.
2. How thick do I need to spread mulch?
We recommend spreading mulch 3-4 inches thick in order to get the most out of it. If there is some existing mulch in the area already, then 1-2 inches may be sufficient. We suggest that you remove existing mulch if you are changing to something different, unless the older mulch is already decomposed.
3. How long will my mulch last?
Most mulch will not need freshening for approximately one year, if a 3-inch layer is initially put down. As mulch decomposes, it adds organic matter to the soil that is very beneficial, so although mulch will need replenishing, it is enriching the soil as it breaks down. The lasting power of mulch depends on many variables, such as how thick it is spread, exposure to the sun, how much it is irrigated, how much it is walked on, and particle size.
4. Is mulch treated?
The mulch we sell at Hensons’ Mulch & More is not treated because it would not be healthy for plants.
5. What are the benefits of mulch?
Mulch helps to keep weeds down, keeps the soil moist, and it protects the plants roots from heaving, which is when they come up out of the soil due to the soil alternating freezing and thawing. Mulch also keeps plants cleaner because soil does not splash up on the flowers and foliage, and it improves the aesthetics of your entire landscape.
6. Does mulch attract termites?
Mulch is not an attractive food source for termites. They prefer larger, woody material that is 6 inches plus in diameter. If it is a real concern for you, we suggest spreading gravel 6 inches out from the foundation of your house, and then spreading mulch from this point on would be a good solution.
7. How much mulch or gravel do I need?
Please see the material calculators shown on the mulch, gravel, and sand pages on this site for approximate material estimates.
8. How much is the delivery charge?
Please call our nearest yard location to you, listed in the “contact us” section of this site.
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TIPS AND TRICKS
Hints & Tips
Recommended Depth of Materials
Mulches: 3″
Stone < 1″ diameter: 3″
1-1 1/2″ Riverstone: 4″
Soil for Lush Lawns: 4+”
Garden Soil in Flower Beds: 6 – 12″
Lawn topdressing: 1/4″
Pathways: 4″
Notes on Recommended Depths
When topdressing previously mulched beds you only need to add enough mulch to existing bed to get a total of 3″. Installing less than the recommended amounts of stone can result in OK short term appearance but after a few years the stones somehow disappear and the ground reappears.
Volume Fun Facts
A small pile of soil or stone weighs a lot!
Soil weighs about 2,200 lbs per cubic yard.
Stone weighs about 2,700 lbs per cubic yard.
Mulch weighs 200-500 lbs per cubic yard.
Full size pick-up heaping load* is 3 cubic yards.
Small size pick-up heaping load* is 1 ½ cubic yards.
Typically a full size truck can take ½ – 1 cu. yd. stone or soil.
Typically a small pickup truck can take ⅓ – ½ cu. yd stone or soil.
27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard (volume 3’L x 3’W x 3’H)
7 to 12 wheel barrow loads in 1 cubic yard.
*(See owners manual of your truck for weight capacity)
Pickup or Delivery?
Some Factors to consider:
Cost versus time.
How much material is required?
How much can my pickup truck or trailer safely haul?
How many trips will it take?
Will it be an advantage to back my pickup truck or trailer to where I need it versus a dump truck?
How much time will it take to clean the material completely out of the bed/bumper etc. of the truck?
Is it worth the wear & tear on the vehicle?
Moving Bulk Material
When shoveling heavy materials, more small shovelfuls is easier on your body than using large shovelfuls. Think about where you are hanging onto your shovel and your posture as you are working. Work at a good pace, do not dwell on how much you still need to move. Try to focus on how much material you already moved, how good it is going to look after your done and how much money you are saving by doing it yourself.
Type of vehicle available to haul materials
Consider the following if you are choosing whether to use a pickup truck or trailer to haul bulk materials. Hauling bulk materials is best left up to open pickup truck beds and trailers. Enclosed vans and suv’s are OK to haul a few tubs,or buckets of bulk material, but shoveling stone, mulch or soil directly in the back of such a vehicle is not recommended. You wont be able to haul much and it will leave a big mess in your vehicle.
Abuse and cleaning your vehicle
Your pride and joy pickup truck is going to get dirty and will endure some scratches in the bed when you use it to haul materials. If you are meticulous about your truck, the cleanup of bark, soil and stone can take awhile. If you have a trailer with a very old undercarriage consider the problem involved if the axle breaks while on the way home while hauling 2000 lbs worth of bulk stone.
Weight of materials needed
First and foremost is weight, weight of the material to be hauled and the weight capacity of the vehicle. Bulk products such as stone and soil are deceptively heavy. Soil usually weighs 2000 to 2400 lbs per cubic yard. Stone weighs in at 2600 to 3000 lbs per yard. Consider how many cubic yards of material is needed and what the weight capacity of your truck or trailer is.
In general, most small pickups have a weight capacity of about 1000 to 1500 lbs. Which means if your getting soil or stone in a small pickup 1/3 or ½ a cubic yard will be a good load. Full size pickups usually have weight capacities of 1500 to 2500 lbs, so a ½ cubic yard to ¾ of a cubic yard soil or stone is typically a safe load.
Volume Needed
Volume capacity is another consideration. A full size pickup truck with a full length 8’ bed will hold 3 cubic yards heaping full. A small pickup truck is usually good for up to 1 ½ cubic yards with a regular sized bed.
Ordering A Delivery
Consider when do you need it, products, quantity and dumping location. For delivery charge quotes, please call our nearest yard location to you, listed in the “contact us” section of this site.
Dumping Location
One possible advantage of using your own pickup truck or trailer maybe that you are able to get the material closer to where it is going to be used. When the decision is made to get a delivery, consider dump spot options. Bulk materials are delivered by dump trucks and tractor trailers, in some cases. These trucks are heavy duty special purpose vehicles unlike pickup trucks. The ability of these types of trucks to maneuver on a residential site is limited. They will leave compacted ruts in a lawn, and will likely tear up turf if a turn is required in the lawn area. Also the dump box goes very high in order to dump so trees overhead wires etc can effect where the load can be dumped.
Also, driveways are susceptible to cracking when a dump truck drives off the side of them to access another area. Typically a cement or tarmac driveway which was constructed properly will not get damaged when the truck backs up and stays on the drive. Consider using an alternative dumping spot if your driveway is new. New concrete is susceptible to cracking. Consider that a 15 cubic yard dump truck of soil weighs approximatly 60,000 lbs or 30 tons. Your car weighs about 2 tons.