What should I do before the mulch gets delivered?
We do our best to make bark mulch installation easy and efficient. And a little preparation on your end can go a long way toward ensuring a smooth process on delivery day.
If you’re wondering, “What should I do before the mulch gets here?” you’re not alone — it’s one of the most common questions we get. And we love when customers ask, because it shows they care about getting the best results.
Here’s your simple 5-step checklist to get your yard ready before we arrive.
1. Clear out weeds, leaves, and debris
Mulch is most effective when it sits directly on the soil (or on top of fabric, if you’re using it — we’ll get to that next). But if your beds are full of weeds, twigs, or last season’s leaves, you’re basically trapping that stuff under a fresh layer of bark.
Why it matters:
Weeds can keep growing through the mulch
Debris creates an uneven base and may attract pests
Clean beds allow for even mulch coverage and better appearance
Your job:
Give your garden beds a once-over before we arrive. Pull weeds, rake out leaves, and toss any big sticks or leftover bark chunks from past years.
💬 “A clean bed is the best canvas for fresh mulch. It helps everything look crisp and professional.”
2. Mark irrigation lines and delicate plants
If your yard has drip lines, soaker hoses, sprinkler heads, or young, low-growing plants, it’s important that they’re easy to see during installation.
While we’re always careful around plantings, these features can blend in and get accidentally covered or damaged if they’re not clearly marked.
How to mark them:
Use flags, garden stakes, or even bamboo skewers to indicate buried lines or delicate plants
Put a small sign or ribbon near anything you want us to avoid
We’ll be looking for cues, but your markings help us know what’s what—especially in areas where bark is being spread around tricky landscaping.
3. Decide on landscape fabric
We’re often asked: “Should I put down weed barrier fabric before mulch?”
The short answer: Usually not—unless you’re installing rock instead of bark.
When to use landscape fabric:
You’re switching from lawn to bark and want longer-term weed control
You’re installing rock, not mulch
You have invasive or aggressive weed growth and need extra protection
If you’re unsure, we’re happy to offer a recommendation based on your yard and goals. Just let us know in advance!
4. Secure pets and keep kids clear
Mulch installation involves tools, wheelbarrows, rakes, and sometimes loud noises from blowers. It’s best to keep pets and kids indoors or away from the work zone during installation.
🐾 We love (love love) animals, but we don’t want to accidentally hurt a curious pup — and nobody wants a dog covered in bark! For everyone’s safety, keep walkways clear and avoid letting pets out until we’re done and everything’s cleaned up.
5. Mark the delivery area for easy access
If you’re just getting mulch delivered (not installed), we’ll need to know where to unload. Here’s how to make that easy:
Place a cone, bucket, or sign in the spot where you’d like the bark dumped. Some folks put down a tarp and anchor it.
Make sure the area is flat, paved, and accessible by truck
Clear vehicles, garbage bins, or obstacles the night before
If you’re getting full installation service, we’ll bring the mulch and tools including our extra-large garden cart — no need for a separate dump area.
Final tips for a smooth experience
At Bark Ridge, we aim for quick, clean, professional mulch installs that make your yard look instantly refreshed. By prepping just a little bit in advance, you help us get the job done even better.
Before we begin, we want to be sure we’ve gotten all of your special instructions — like avoiding certain areas, using a specific bark color, or working around sensitive landscaping. Just let us know ahead of time.
✅ “A little prep goes a long way—help us help your yard look amazing.”
