Cedar Mulch

We stock cedar mulch in bags of 2 cubic feet with 75 bags on a pallet. If you’re ordering a full pallet of material we will bring a forklift to unload the product onto your driveway.

We can deliver the bags of cedar mulch to your location. In addition to delivery, we can also provide installation services. If you’re interested in having our team install your cedar mulch, please book a landscape appointment and select Garden Cleanup, Mulch and Sod as the appointment type. If you are interested in having our landscape design team apply mulch to your landscape plants, please book a Full Service landscape design appointment.

To install mulch, spread it on your desired area about 2 to 3” deep. If you are placing it around a plant, taper the mulch down toward the base of the plant so that there is a 1” area around the base that is free from mulch. Placing a 2 to 3” layer of mulch up against the base of the plant may lead to disease and rot.

What is the purpose of mulch and is it necessary in the garden?

Mulch helps to conserve soil moisture, prevent weed growth and add organic matter to the soil as it breaks down, providing nutrients to plants through decomposition. Without mulch your soil can dry out more quickly and provide a space for weeds to take over.

How do I know what kind of mulch to use?

Mulch is mostly an aesthetic preference, meaning you can choose based on the color, texture and style you want to look at in your landscape. All of our mulches provide the same benefits in terms of retaining moisture, preventing weed growth and adding organic matter back to the soil during decomposition.

There are a few functional components to keep in mind when you’re selecting your mulch. If the area you are mulching is on a slope, we suggest using a finer shredded mulch, such as shredded hardwood, premium oak bark, or premium cypress mulch. The stringy, sinewy texture of these mulches anchor in better than mulch chips, which would potentially run right down a hill.  You’ll want to stay away from mulches that have large nuggets, like Rappahannock and silver dollar as large clusters placed on a slope can move with rainwater.

If you are unsure of which mulch to use, you can visit us at Merrifield Garden Center with photos of your landscape and we can help you find the perfect match. We also have sample bins available at each location where you can see, touch and explore the various options.

How much mulch should I use?

We recommend putting your mulch down at a depth of 2 to 3”. If you add more than 3” of mulch on top of your plants, it can create a barrier that inhibits air and water from getting into the soil.

How often should I replace the mulch and do I have to take up the old mulch?

We recommend replacing your mulch about once a year. You can do this at any point of the year, but early spring is typically a great time as you are already doing spring cleaning in your garden.

As the mulch ages, you may see an inch or two of runoff or decomposition as the broken down hardwood enriches the soil with nutrients, leaving a thin layer of old mulch on your plants. When you’re replenishing your mulch each year you can leave the existing thin layer of the old mulch in place and top dress it with the new layer.

Does cedar mulch repel insects?

Cedar’s natural oils can discourage some insects like ants, moths and some pests, but it’s not a guaranteed insect barrier. It helps reduce activity but won’t eliminate bugs completely.

Does cedar mulch fade?

Yes, the bright reddish-gold color will gradually fade to a soft gray-brown over time due to sunlight and rain.