HOW to Install MULCH (For BEGINNERS)

In our lawn care businesses we are always looking for ways to be more efficient. Mulching services are no different. It is true that you can buy bulk mulch for a lesser rate than bagged mulch, but most of the time it makes sense to use the bagged. I have timed myself, and our employees using bulk mulch vs bagged mulch. 9 times out of 10 the cost savings of the bulk material is NOT worth it. The reason is because we are so much more efficient with bags of mulch. We can do about twice the amount of work with bagged compared to bulk, therefore LABOR COSTS are much higher with bulk mulch vs bagged mulch. The cost savings of bulk are simply not worth it. Furthermore, even if I am working solo, I rather work faster and do twice the amount of jobs using bags, rather than save $30-50 and only get half the amount of work done. The math just doesn't make sense. Unless you are doing huge volumes of mulch, shoveling that stuff into a wheel barrow is for the birds... Just use bagged. You're not a rookie for doing so. You're smart and efficient.

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In 2016 I had been in law enforcement for 7 years.

I was not in control of my schedule, I was hardly making any money, and I was away from my family working nights and holidays. I was capable of more, and I was silently suffering. I knew I was selling myself and my family short.

I started Florida Turf Pros as a side hustle in 2016 before going full time in 2017.

My lawn business changed my life.

I control my own schedule, control my own income, and I am proud of what I have built; a business that supports me, my family, and some employees.

If you are a lawn care business owner, this channel will be a valuable resource for you.

This really is a great industry to be in, and I hope that by documenting my journey it will help you.

-Jonathan C. Christian

[tylermaynard]

Pro tip…. Blow all that junk left from the ornamental grass cutting off the sidewalk before mulching. Then do a final light blow off of the sidewalk just to remove any mulch spill over. That way there is nothing on top of the fresh mulch to clean up

[joeblanck]

I 100% agree, on the bag vs bulk quandary. Bulk is a little less expensive, but so much easier to handle. Thanks for all the great content you put out. 🙏

[iLeGaCyyyyyyy]

Im over here in north texas and my experience with bagged mulch lately has been terrible. Most of the mulch bags have white mold and its noticeable when you throw the mulch on the beds. Looks very ugly

[rickdeboer]

I've cut my share of wires early on in my business to check for wires before trimming! Good advice😊

[LLC_Turf_Pros]

Love this work video man! I prefer bagged over bulk mulch too. I actually buy my mulch by the bag for $3.25 after tax from a landscape supply place here near Austin Tx. I also hate the red mulch lol. I’ve followed your tip on not double touching the mulch from another video and it has sped up my time exponentially.

[MMAX]

Great job and info. Only thing I do different is upsell premergent. Namely the product named Preen which you can pick up at any big box store. I've noticed significant weed reduction in its application.

[ProjectKeyMow]

For us it makes sense to do bulk mulch. This is why

1.) Most of our flower beds here require 2 yards of mulch. My trucks hold exactly two yards of mulch. We are able to carry a pitchfork, 2yrds, 1 barrow and multiple tools on the truck and finsh each property with a truck load.
2.) It is much cheaper for us at $35/Yard for bulk
3.) Our mulch yard is much closer to our service area, shop and clients then a store like Home depot/ Lowes.

Great video and perspective on bagged mulch!

[thomasbrown]

Thanks for the tips on mulch. I didnt think about the double touch.

[Locdwithwill]

Nothing for the weeds boss ? Love your channel already

[vdbpuppies]

Switched to bagged mulch a few years ago. I have 500 bags delivered in the spring for all the small jobs so I don’t have to go pick up a few bags here or there. When I need to bags or more, I go and pick it up. Cost for me is about $20 more per yard than bulk mulch, but loading, application and cleanup time is cut in half.

[chriswest]

John, awesome video. Definitely a change in pace from your instructional style. BTW, how do you charge for mulch install? Do you price it by yard installed or per hour?

[RuizLawncareSolutionsLLC]

Oh man let me know if you find a good distributor for bulk black mulch in our area. LOL

Great points as always!

Excited to see you around town sir!

[tangotrash]

Thank you for this video, I've only done one mulch install to date and i used bagged mulch as well. I've heard all the pros and con between bagged and bulk and still haven't decided where i stand on the matter. But I hope to start landing more of these light landscaping jobs to help boost my income and experience. I absolutely love your content and informative videos. Please keep up the good work and wishing you the best for this 2024 season.

[SmithValleyLawns]

How often are you cleaning out old mulch? I haven’t really tried to sell mulch jobs or bush trimming/pruning cause I’m not very competent in “landscaping” yet. Which is why I’m here trying to learn.

[GardenerEarthGuy]

I used to use a blower truck for mulch. It's like an 18 wheeler with a hose that sprays mulch. You do a bunch of homes in a day.

[curbappeallawncarellc]

I personally feel they both have a best option for the right application. Bags can be cleaner but sometimes bulk mulch can be cheaper. We mostly have done bagged just cause those areas that you can't get wheelbarrow or loader into.

[delroychambers]

If under 3 cubic yard (45 bags) is calculated to do the job; I'm purchasing bags. Easier clean up and if any bags are leftover; I can take them back to the store for a refund. Over 3 cubic yards; I'm buying bulk and bringing my 4 tire wheelbarrow and connect it to my gravely 36 to install

[mikeutt]

Bagged mulch has too much trash mixed in it. I only use bulk mulch. it has no trash in it.

[Captjames]

How many bags ? Or square feet was that job ? Just wondering how you came up with $630 in profit maybe I’m not charging enough. I know you trimmed the shrubs too. Maybe in another video, you could do more of a breakdown explaining the process. Thanks love the video by the way and the dump trailer is awesome. Hope to be pick one up this year.

[eddiereyna]

Have ya ever installed pecan mulch ?
It gives a wonderful aroma after a rainfall .