Mulch Matters: How to Choose the Right Type for Your Landscaping Project?

If you’ve ever laid down a fresh layer of mulch, you know just how much it can elevate the look of your garden or landscaping. But keeping it looking sharp all year long takes a little bit of know-how—and that’s where we come in. At We Deliver Gravel, we’re all about making your landscape work harder and look better with minimal fuss. Whether you’re a homeowner, landscaper, or property manager, here are some practical mulch maintenance tips to help you keep things fresh, vibrant, and low-maintenance.

Start with a Solid Foundation

Before we even get into maintaining your mulch, let’s talk about getting it right from the start. The key to long-lasting mulch is laying it over a properly prepped area. We always recommend clearing out weeds, adding a good landscape fabric or weed barrier, and making sure the area is graded to drain water away from plants and foundations. That foundation gives your mulch a better chance of staying in place and doing its job without breaking down too fast.

Fluff It Up

Over time, mulch can get compacted by rain, snow, and foot traffic. A simple way to refresh the look and function of your mulch is to give it a good fluffing with a rake. This breaks up matted areas, improves airflow to your soil, and makes everything look brand new again. We recommend doing this at least once every season, especially in spring and fall when the weather changes most drastically.

Top It Off Once or Twice a Year

Even with the best prep and care, mulch breaks down over time. That’s not a bad thing—it enriches your soil. But if you want to keep your garden beds looking crisp, it’s a good idea to add a fresh layer of mulch once or twice a year. Spring is a great time to top up after winter wear, and fall is perfect for insulating your soil before the cold hits.

If you’re topping off your mulch and need a new delivery, we’ve got you covered. We handle everything from premium mulch to gravel delivery, so you can refresh multiple areas of your landscape in one go.

Keep an Eye on the Depth

More isn’t always better when it comes to mulch. We recommend sticking to about 2–3 inches of mulch—enough to suppress weeds and retain moisture, but not so much that it chokes your plants or prevents water from getting through. If your mulch layer is thicker than that, rake some off or spread it to thinner areas.

Watch for Fading and Mold

Sun exposure will eventually cause mulch to fade, especially if it’s dyed. While fading is natural, you can rake and rotate your mulch to mix the faded bits with the more vibrant layers underneath. If you spot mold or fungus growing, especially in damp or shady spots, you may need to pull back the mulch temporarily to let things dry out before reapplying.

Control Weeds with Spot Treatments

Mulch does a great job of suppressing weeds, but it’s not a complete barrier. When you do see weeds popping through, tackle them early. Pull them by hand or use a spot treatment to prevent them from spreading. If you find certain areas are more prone to weeds, it might be time to add a weed barrier or consider re-mulching with a different type or texture.

Use Edging to Keep It Contained

Mulch can start to spill out into lawns, walkways, or gravel paths if it’s not properly contained. Installing edging around your garden beds will help keep your mulch where it belongs, maintain clean lines, and make mowing or trimming easier. It also gives your landscape a more polished, professional appearance.

Protect It During Rain and Windstorms

After a heavy rain or strong wind, it’s not uncommon to find mulch scattered across your yard. A quick rake-through can fix most of the mess, but for ongoing protection, think about how water flows through your property. Strategic use of gravel or river rock in drainage zones can reduce mulch washout. (And yes, we can help with that too—ask us about gravel delivery in Vaughan if you need to upgrade your runoff control game.)

Call Us for Easy, Reliable Mulch and Gravel Delivery

Keeping your mulch in tip-top shape doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether you need a fresh top-up, a total redo, or support with drainage, we’re ready to help. Our team at We Deliver Gravel provides fast and reliable gravel, soil, and mulch delivery in Vaughan and across the GTA.

Need to get in touch? Contact us or give us a call at 647-868-2447. We’ll help you get exactly what you need to keep your landscape looking its best, all year round.