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How Much Mulch is Too Much?

Mulch is one of the best things you can do for your garden beds—it keeps roots cool, retains moisture, suppresses weeds,
and improves curb appeal. But more is not always better. Anything deeper than 3 inches can suffocate roots,
cause bark decay around trees, and trap excess moisture.

Rule of Thumb: Keep total mulch depth between 2–3 inches for most beds. If you already have that much,
simply fluff and refresh the surface.

Prepping Old Mulch Before Re-Mulching

Fresh mulch looks great, but layering it on top of compacted old mulch can starve your plants of oxygen. Before adding
new mulch:

• Turn and loosen old mulch with a rake or cultivator to improve air and water movement.
• Remove excess depth if your existing mulch is already 3 inches or more.
• Clear out moldy or matted spots—especially around perennials and shrubs.

How Deep Should Fresh Mulch Be?

For most re-mulching, all you need is a light topdressing of about 1 inch. This gives beds a fresh,
rich look without creating “mulch volcanoes” around plants. After adding, your total depth should not exceed 3 inches.

3 Professional Re-Mulching Tips

• Leave a gap around trunks: Keep mulch 3–6 inches away from tree and shrub bases.
• Don’t bury perennials: Expose crowns so they can breathe and regrow each season.
• Keep it level with your lawn: A neat, even transition from grass to bed gives a crisp, professional look.

Which Mulch Should You Choose?

Not all mulches are created equal. At Grillo Services, we offer a variety to suit every project:

• Bark Mulch (pine, hemlock, cedar): Long-lasting, natural look, and excellent weed suppression.
• Color-Enhanced Mulch (brown, black, red): Adds bold contrast and keeps color longer.
• Playground Mulch: Specially designed for safety and softness under play equipment.
• Peat-based Mulch: Best for perennial beds and soil enrichment.

Mulch Calculator

Enter your bed dimensions and target depth to see how many cubic yards of mulch you’ll need.

Order Mulch from Grillo Services

Once you know how many yards you need, ordering is simple. We deliver straight to your driveway throughout Connecticut.

About John

John W. Holden has been designing landscapes in Fairfield County, CT, for over 19 years. He earned his B.S. in Ornamental
Horticulture from the University of Connecticut, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

John is an accredited Connecticut Nursery Professional and a graduate of the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s
Organic Land Care course. His work has been featured in Fine Gardening and Total Landscape Care.

He is also the founder of Land Designs Unlimited LLC, a landscape design/build company in Newtown, CT.