When it Comes To Mulch, Which is Better? (Bags or Bulk)

Mulch dilemma decoded:
Bags or bulk? The age-old question gets answers.

A question perhaps as old as time itself.

Which is better when it comes to buying mulch?

To buy it in bags, or purchase it in bulk.

Well, we have poured through the data and conducted a survey to find the answer.

Here’s the deal, the answer appears to be... it depends.

Below is what you NEED to know about purchasing mulch in bags, vs. buying it in bulk. 

The Results of Our Survey: Do you buy mulch in bulk or bags?

Look, we polled our Facebook group with over 2000 lawn care professionals about whether they buy mulch in bulk, or in bags. 

They gave us a lot of good feedback that can help us answer the question thoroughly.

So once you have calculated how much mulch you need...

Here is what we found.

We found that lawn care professionals fell into 3 categories; those that always buy bags, those that always buy in bulk, and those that say it depends. 

Let me break it down.

● Category 1: 48% Say they “Always buy mulch in bulk” 

48% of landscaping professionals say they always buy mulch in bulk. 

Either by getting it delivered to the job site, or by charging for delivery themselves. 

The Main Takeaway about Buying in Bulk: 

Bulk mulch is frequently less expensive than bagged mulch, but it's less convenient to transport.

● Category #2: 19% Say They “Always use bags”

19% of landscapers said they always purchase mulch in bags. 

The Main Takeaway about Buying Mulch in Bags: 

Despite the higher cost, there are sometimes when bagged mulch is better to use, because of its convenient packaging.

● Category #3: 33% Say “It depends on the job”

33% of landscapers said that it really depends on the job. 

When you look at the pros and cons of bulk mulch vs. bagged mulch. There are a lot of factors to consider. 

For example, a small yard that only requires one or two yards of mulch may be easiest to handle with bagged mulch. As bagged mulch is easier to move, at least in a smaller yard. 

On the other hand, if you are spreading more mulch. 

For example, you need to spread 4 or 5 yards. You can charge a lower rate, and make more than your competition who is using bagged mulch. 

The Main Takeaway 

According to our poll, 52% of lawn care providers and landscapers use bagged mulch at least some of the time. Despite the fact that more landscapers always buy mulch in bulk, more than half of landscapers still use bagged mulch from time to time. 

How much should it cost to spread a yard of mulch?

While we are on the topic of mulch, let's talk about what the average price for spreading one yard of mulch is. Unlike lawn care rates which can often be hourly. 

Most landscapers charge per yard of mulch when it comes to mulching. 

On average landscapers charge about $100 a yard to spread mulch in garden beds that require little to no preparation. This price will typically vary from $90-$120 per yard depending on the company, and the local market. 

Some lawn care pros offer cheaper rates to existing lawn care clients.

Note: If a landscape bed requires weeding or other preparations. These would be separate charges. 

And Always remember not to pile mulch against the trunks of your client's trees.

So Which is Better? Bagged or Bulk?

In most circumstances, landscapers agree that it is most practical to buy mulch in bulk. 

However, 52% of landscapers suggest that they use bags some of the time. 

The reality is that it comes down to your business's equipment, the landscape you are working in, and the size of the project. 

But, there is one thing about mulch all landscapers agree on, and that is:

Related reading: How much do I charge to install a bale of pine straw mulch?