Mulch Installation & replenishment

Why Mulch Matters (More Than You Think)

Last summer, I was doing a mulch job out in Cypress. The homeowner, James, had just had a baby and couldn’t keep up with the yard. His grass was yellowing, and the flower beds looked tired. I laid down a fresh layer of hardwood mulch, and within a few weeks, he called me to say his yard looked like it “woke up.”

That’s what mulch does. It keeps moisture in, keeps weeds out, and makes everything pop—without a lot of effort. Especially in Houston, where the heat can suck the life out of your soil by mid-May.

What Is Mulch, Really?

Mulch is just a ground cover. Could be bark, wood chips, pine needles, or even gravel. In Houston, we mostly use:

• Hardwood mulch (lasts longer)
• Pine bark mulch (better for acid-loving plants)
• Black dyed mulch (makes green shrubs look sharper)
• Cedar mulch (smells great, helps with bugs)

We lay it around trees, flower beds, bushes, and even vegetable gardens. It’s like a blanket for your soil.

The Houston Heat: Why Mulch Is a Must

Houston summers are no joke. Between Memorial and Labor Day, we can go weeks without rain. Mulch keeps the ground cool and moist, so your plants don’t freak out and die.

When you don’t have mulch, the sun bakes the soil. That means:

• Water evaporates faster
• Roots overheat
• Weeds grow like crazy

I had a customer in Pearland who stopped mulching for two seasons. Her St. Augustine started thinning, and the flower beds got taken over by crabgrass. Once we got mulch back down, the weeds dropped by half.

How Often Do You Need to Mulch in Houston?

At least once a year, usually in the spring. If you want it to always look fresh, twice a year—spring and fall—is best.

Houston’s weather breaks mulch down quicker than cooler climates. Rain, heat, and humidity wear it down fast. You’ll know it’s time when it starts looking gray or washed out.

Does Mulch Really Help With Weeds?

Yes. Big time. It blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds. Less sun = fewer weeds.

We did a mulch install in Garden Oaks last month. The homeowner had been pulling weeds every week. We added 3 inches of black mulch and came back four weeks later to check in. She said it cut her weeding time down by 90%.

Where We Work

We install mulch across all of Houston, including:

• The Heights
• Bellaire
• Memorial
• Cypress
• Katy
• West U
• Pearland
• Sugar Land
• Spring
• Tomball

We know the soil, the plants, and how the weather hits each part of town. For example, River Oaks tends to use more high-end dyed mulch. But in Conroe, we’re seeing more cedar because of the mosquitoes.

How Much Does Mulch Installation Cost?

It depends on:

• How much area you need covered
• The type of mulch
• If we’re also cleaning up the beds or just dropping mulch

Most installs range between $200–$600 for the average yard in Houston. We charge by the yard of mulch, plus labor. We’ll give you a flat price upfront—no guessing.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

If you’ve got a tiny yard and time on the weekend, you could do it yourself. But if your beds are big, sloped, or packed with plants, hiring a crew saves your back.

We bring the mulch, do the prep, clean up after, and leave your yard looking sharp. No mess. No weeds poking through. Just a yard that looks taken care of.

Choosing the Right Mulch

Here’s a quick guide based on what we’ve seen work best in different areas of Houston:

Area                                         Soil Type                                     Recommended Mulch

Katy                                          Clay-heavy                                       Hardwood or Pine

The Heights                          Mixed fill soils                                   Black Dyed or Cedar

Bellaire                                       Loamy                                            Pine Bark or Cedar

Cypress                                Sandy in spots                                     Hardwood or Pine

River Oaks                           Well-maintained                                  Black Dyed or Red

Local Tip: Watch Out for Bad Mulch

Some bulk mulch yards in Houston sell recycled pallets or construction wood as mulch. That stuff breaks down fast and can even have chemicals.

We use trusted local suppliers like Living Earth and Nature’s Way Resources. That way, you know it’s clean, natural, and safe for pets and kids.

How Mulch Fits with Irrigation

This part's key. Mulch and irrigation work together. Mulch holds the water in. Drip systems and sprinklers feed from the top, mulch holds it down low.

I always tell folks: you can mulch your yard, or you can water it 2x as much. Your call.

When Mulch Goes Wrong

True story: I had a guy in Spring put down rubber mulch from a big-box store. Looked nice, but the heat from the rubber made his azaleas curl. Plants don’t like to cook. Natural mulch cools them down.

Lesson? Stick to organic.

Ready to Mulch?

If your yard looks tired or you’re just done pulling weeds every weekend, fresh mulch is one of the fastest fixes you can make. It's like hitting reset on your beds.

Call us, text us, or request a quote online. We’re a Houston-based lawn and landscape crew that works year-round, rain or shine.

Helpful Local Links:

• Harris County Extension Office – Plant tips and soil info
• Houston Watering Schedule – Know when to water

TL;DR:
Mulch installation in Houston saves water, cuts weeds, and keeps your yard alive through the heat. Once a year is good. Twice a year is better. And yes—it actually makes a difference.

Want to get on the schedule? Just say when. Call Ava Landscape at 832-651-4072. We’ll bring the mulch and do the dirty work.