Mulch, Pine Straw & Flower Bed Guide
The fastest way to make a yard look new: crisp edges, fresh mulch or pine straw, and seasonal color in the right spots.
Nothing changes the look of a house faster than clean, freshly mulched beds. It tells everyone driving by that the property is cared for, and it does real work too: mulch holds moisture, keeps roots cool and cuts down on weeds.
Around here there are two main choices. Pine straw is the classic Georgia look, light and easy to keep on slopes. Hardwood mulch gives a darker, finished look and breaks down slowly to feed the soil.
What it includes
- Hardwood mulch and pine straw installation
- Clean, cut bed edges
- Weeding and cleanup before install
- Seasonal annual color
- Perennial bed design and planting
- New bed creation and reshaping
- Soil amendment for clay
- Spring and fall refreshes
How a typical project goes
Clean up
Weeds are pulled, debris cleared and overgrowth trimmed so beds start clean.
Edge
Each bed gets a crisp, cut edge that keeps grass out and mulch in.
Install
Mulch goes down at the right depth, kept off stems and trunks. Pine straw is tucked tight.
Add color
Seasonal annuals or perennials go in to suit the sun in each bed.
When to refresh mulch and color
Most homes look best with a full refresh in spring and a lighter top-up in fall. Pine straw fades faster than mulch, so it's usually done twice a year.
Annual color changes with the season. Begonias and vinca go in after the last frost in April. Pansies and violas go in during October and bloom through the winter.
Questions to ask a landscaper
- Do you edge and weed before installing?
- How deep do you spread mulch?
- Do you offer seasonal color rotations?
- Is this a one-time job or a yearly program?
Common questions
How deep should mulch be?
About two to three inches. Deeper than that can starve roots of air, and mulch should never be piled against tree trunks.
Pine straw or mulch?
Pine straw is lighter, cheaper per area and great on slopes. Mulch looks more finished, lasts longer and slowly improves the soil. Plenty of homes use straw in back and mulch out front.
Should old mulch be removed first?
Usually not. Old mulch breaks down into the soil. If beds are getting too high or crowding the siding, some should come out before adding new.
Which flowers come back every year here?
Perennials like coneflower, lantana and daylilies do well in Metro Atlanta and return each spring with very little care.
Know a landscaper doing great work?
We're always looking for local companies to celebrate. Landscapers can reach out to be featured, too.