It’s time to dominate mulch season. We’re not talking about laying down any old mulch and hoping for the best. We’re talking about killing weeds, helping plants grow strong and making your landscape beds drop-dead gorgeous. This time of year, you’re probably searching online for the “best mulch for sale near me.”
Thankfully, you’ve reached your destination. At Lumberjacks, we provide the best mulch for sale in the Chicagoland region. Even better news? This top-notch mulch is just a phone call away.
But perhaps we’re getting ahead of ourselves. What makes this the best mulch around, anyway?
Keep reading to learn more about our mulch and find helpful answers to important related questions.
The Not-So-Secret Formula for Amazing Mulch
Our philosophy when it comes to mulch production is to keep it simple. After all, it doesn’t take much to produce great-looking mulch that gets the job done. It’s only a four-step process:
- Source only the best wood.
- Ensure the wood used is of the highest quality.
- Produce pure, organic mulch.
- Get that mulch to the customer.
Let’s break down our simple process so you understand the care and quality control that goes into producing the “best mulch for sale near me” at Lumberjacks.
Source the Best Wood
The best mulch must start with the best wood. That’s why we source our wood locally from trusted harvesters. Not only does this ensure the highest quality product, but it’s also the most environmentally friendly option!
Ensure the Highest Quality
Once we receive our wood, it goes through kiln-drying for nearly two days in our special ovens. This process brings the moisture content of each log below 20% and eradicates bugs, mold, mildew and other unwanted materials. Zero harmful chemicals are used during this process, keeping the wood safe for your family and lawn!
Produce Our Mulch
We carefully process our mulch from the top-notch kiln-dried firewood we create in the step above. So, when you order from us, you know you’re getting the hardwood mulch you need without any impurities. Plus, you can choose from four attractive options to beautify your property:
- Premium hardwood mulch
- Premium bark mulch
- Chocolate mulch
- Red mulch
Get Mulch to Our Customers
You can call 815-337-1451 to order it in bulk and have it delivered to your home or business. Of course, you’re always welcome to stop by our physical location to pick up your mulch if you prefer!
Not sure which option to choose from? We can help you with that! One of our dedicated team members would happily help you over the phone.
Speaking of our salespeople, they are some of the most helpful in the business. Don’t believe us? Check out the next section, in which the team has compiled a list of common questions and our answers to help you with your mulch shopping.

9 Common Questions About Mulch for Sale Near Me Answered
We want to help you get the most out of your mulch. For this reason, we’ve taken the time to answer the questions we most often hear from mulch shoppers.
The answers below are based on the knowledge gained from our three decades in the industry. We hope you find them useful as you utterly dominate mulch season!
1. What Type of Mulch Is Best?
The best type of mulch is 100% organic hardwood mulch. This mulch will give your soil the most nutrients as it decomposes, leading to healthier plants and more beautiful gardens.
Conversely, if mulch is less than 100% organic, it won’t provide as many nutrients and could harm the soil. Some manufacturers mix chemically treated wood, such as leftover wood from old pallets, with organic hardwood to save money. This leftover wood has nothing to offer the soil besides potentially harmful chemicals.
Many inorganic mulch options are also available, such as rubber, plastic or rock mulch. While these options won’t necessarily hurt the soil, they won’t help it either. Only 100% organic hardwood is 100% healthy for the soil.
2. Which Mulch Is Best to Prevent Weeds?
Mulch made from organic hardwoods like oak or hickory is most effective at preventing weeds. These sturdy woods provide the dense covering necessary to prevent weed growth while also nourishing the soil.
Hardwood mulch is also much heavier than softwood options like cedar mulch. This is important because it won’t blow or wash away in storms as easily. Instead, the hardwood mulch will stay put and continue suppressing weeds for the long haul.
3. Is Mulch or Rock Better for Landscaping?
Organic hardwood mulch is better than rock because of how effectively it nourishes the soil. While rocks are low maintenance and longer lasting than hardwood mulch, they do not provide any nutrients for the soil. Moreover, they can overheat the ground and mess with the pH of the soil to harm your plants.
Organic mulch, on the other hand, effectively insulates the soil to keep it at a perfect temperature all year long. It also gives the soil nutrients for healthy plant growth and fewer weeds.
4. Will Mulch Attract Termites?
One common concern our customers have is if laying mulch will attract termites and other pests. The best way to avoid attracting termites is not to spread your mulch too thick. Mulch that is over 3 inches deep creates an ideal habitat for termites. So, keep your mulch between 2-3-inches deep to lessen the likelihood of infestation.
5. Is It Okay to Put Mulch Next to Your House?
Yes, you can lay mulch next to your house. However, there are some best practices to keep in mind to do this safely. For example, if you’re concerned about termites, you will want to keep the mulch at least one foot away from your home’s foundation. Keeping the mulch 18 inches from the foundation can also help if you’re concerned about fires. A depth of less than 3 inches is also recommended in either scenario.
For more information on this topic, please check out our blog on how to lay mulch around a foundation.

6. How Many Inches of Mulch Do I Need to Stop Weeds?
A layer of hardwood mulch between 2-3 inches thick should be enough to effectively keep weeds at bay. However, you won’t want to go deeper than 2-3 inches because that could suffocate your soil and stifle plant growth. It could also lead to other problems like termite infestation or fire hazards.
7. Do You Need to Pull Weeds Before Mulching?
Yes! Hardwood mulch keeps new weeds from growing. However, putting mulch down before removing old weeds can help those weeds grow just like it helps your plants grow. So, you’ll want to take the time to completely uproot any visible weeds before putting down mulch.
8. What Should I Put Down Before Mulching?
Along with pulling any visible weeds, you can also put down chemical weed killers to ensure the area is free of weeds before mulching. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the product to use it safely.
Some customers also wonder if they need to add landscape fabric before putting down mulch. We wouldn’t recommend this because it only serves as an unnecessary barrier between the mulch and the soil. Laying a 2-3-inch layer of mulch directly on the ground will give the soil the nutrients it needs and effectively suppress weeds.
9. Should You Mulch Every Year?
You don’t necessarily need to put down mulch every year. However, you will want to keep an eye on the mulch to determine the best time to add more.
The appearance of organic hardwood mulch tends to fade after a year or two. When this happens, it helps to add more mulch to refresh its appearance.
Ultimately, the choice of when to add new mulch is up to you. If your old mulch is fading and getting sparse, it’s probably a good time to add a new layer.
10. Do I Need to Remove Old Mulch Before Laying New?
You don’t need to remove the old mulch before adding the new. It’s better to leave that old mulch because it likely still has nutrients to offer the soil. It takes around six or seven years for the mulch to break down and lose its nutrients completely. In the meantime, you can just let it do its thing and watch your plants thrive!
11. Why Choose Local Mulch for Sale Near Me Over Bagged Options?
There are several reasons that local mulch is superior to bagged options. Most importantly, if you choose premium organic local mulch for sale, you’ll receive the benefit of knowing exactly what you’re getting. You can’t be sure what’s inside with bagged mulch options found at your local hardware store. Is the wood chemically treated? Does the mulch contain leftover construction materials? It’s anybody’s guess!
Local mulch is also better for the environment because it requires shorter transportation times. Plus, at Lumberjacks, we only use sustainably sourced wood from trusted local harvesters. So, we know we’re not depleting the local woodlands and forests!
12. When is The Best Time to Lay Down New Mulch?
We recommend laying your new mulch in mid to late spring. This gives the soil time to warm a bit before covering it, but is also early enough to stop most weeds before they happen.
Avoid laying mulch when the ground is very wet or waterlogged since this can lead to mold and mildew growth beneath your organic covering. Opt instead to begin your yard’s beautifying project after a gentle drizzle or mist when the ground is just slightly damp. This ensures there’s moisture in the soil for your plants to drink up – but not enough to create a breeding ground for mold.
Miss the ideal window for mulch laying? No worries! You can still spread your mulch for sale near me after purchasing it almost any time of year.
13. Does Mulch Attract Bugs?
You know mulch can attract termites if you layer it thick, but what about other bugs? Yes, mulch can and will absolutely attract other bugs to your garden beds. But before you panic, know that isn’t a bad thing.
Many bugs attracted to the moisture kept below mulch are excellent for your flowers! Millipedes, centipedes, sowbugs, earwigs, and ants can help break down organic mulch, so it provides more nutrients faster. Oh, and things like spiders, lady beetles, praying mantis and ground beetles (which are also attracted to mulch) feed on unwanted pests – including termites in some cases!
Since they provide many benefits, we recommend allowing beneficial bugs to live in your garden and enjoy your organic mulch.
14. How Long Will It Take to Deliver the Best Mulch for Sale Near Me?
After placing your order, your best mulch for sale near me should be delivered within a few days. If, for any reason, it takes longer than expected, one of our dedicated team members will call or email with that information. When you order from Lumberjacks, you’ll never be in the dark about your mulch delivery!
15. What If I Still Have Questions About the Best Mulch for Sale Near Me?
We recommend starting with our comprehensive mulch FAQs page if you still have questions. You may find the answer to your question there at any time of the day or night!
Still not seeing what you need? Give us a call during regular business hours, and we’d be happy to help!
Get Premium Mulch for Your Front or Backyard Today!
The answer to that frantic online search for the “best mulch for sale near me” is Lumberjacks. We’re proud to offer the highest quality of mulch and an unrivaled dedication to customer support to go with it.
Now… those landscapes and flowerbeds are calling. We hope this post has helped you answer their call with beautiful organic hardwood that will keep your outdoor space thriving!
If you still have questions, please call us at 815-337-1451 or check out this comprehensive guide to premium mulch.
Editors Note: This blog was originally published in March of 2022 and was updated in November of 2023.