You’ve heard about the many benefits you and your property will receive from using high-quality mulch. So, you embarked on a journey to find “mulch near me,” and now? You’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices and varieties. But we’re here to tell you not to stress! Take a deep breath and read our comprehensive guide on finding a high-quality mulch provider in your area. Once you find the right provider, the rest of the pieces will fall into place!
Before you read our guide, click the button below to learn more about the premium mulch offered at Lumberjacks specifically.
Finding Local Companies
The most important thing to know is that you should choose local companies over nationwide manufacturers. There are many reasons for this, which you can read about in a later section. For now, we’ll discuss the methods for finding companies offering “mulch near me.” We suggest creating a short list of local companies to compare with the most important traits you should be looking for. Once you’ve assessed the company itself and the quality of mulch it offers, you can feel confident in your purchasing decision!
Web Search
Using your favorite search engine is one of the easiest and fastest ways to find a local mulch company. But don’t make the mistake of going with the first option that pops up. Instead, remember to verify options before adding them to your shortlist.
Here’s what that process should look like:
- Type “mulch near me” or “mulch near (your city)” into the query bar
- Look at the local place’s listings at the top of the page (just below the map)
- Click “more places” below the first three options to get a complete listing
- Verify that each location is within a reasonable distance from you
- Glance at each company’s rating (and steer clear of any with only one or two stars)
- Add highly rated, local companies to your list
Print Advertisements
If you’re actively looking for mulch for your lawn, keep an eye out for print advertising. This may be through flyers, brochures, pamphlets or even billboards. If you see a landscaping supply or mulch company, pay attention so you can look them up later. Also, firewood companies (like Lumberjacks) may offer mulch!
Physical Locations
Do you know of a physical mulch retailer? Or are you driving around when you spot one? Stop in! There’s no better way to assess a mulch retailer than by visiting their location and seeing the product yourself.
Referrals From Trusted Individuals
An excellent way to find providers of high-quality mulch near me is to ask the people you already trust! Ask family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Chances are high that someone you know has purchased mulch for their outdoor space. Ask them what they did or didn’t like about their chosen company and whether they’ll buy from them again.
Assessing Mulch Companies Near Me
You’ve found your local mulch companies, but now you need to start narrowing your shortlist. We recommend starting by assessing the companies themselves rather than the mulch. To do this, ask yourself the following questions:
Are They Truly Local?
Having a location in your area doesn’t mean a company is truly local. They could simply bring mulch in from another location (likely nationwide) and then sell it at a local store.
Truly local companies may have multiple locations, but they’ll likely be within the same state or geographic region. For example, Lumberjacks has two locations, but both are located in Illinois – one in Woodstock and the other in Lake in the Hills.
What Is Their Reputation Like?
There are two ways to assess a company’s reputation – and you may have already started answering this question when creating your list of companies.
The first way is to look for online reviews. These are great because they give you an idea of the experience others had with a specific company – and the average experience of others is likely to be your own, too.
The second way is to tap into your network again. Ask people if they’ve used a company (or heard anything from their connections) and whether the experience was good or bad.
Avoid companies with a negative reputation, especially if all you hear are negative remarks and experiences. Look for companies with positive online reviews that receive positive remarks from people you know.
Do They Deliver Their Mulch Near Me?
If you’re looking for “mulch delivered near me,” this is an essential factor. Companies that deliver their mulch are showing one more way they care about fulfilling their customers’ needs. Of course, this isn’t a determining factor if you’re not looking for mulch deliveries.
Are There Ways They Go Beyond for Customers?
Sometimes, the seemingly smallest details can make all the difference. Offering mulch deliveries is only one example of how companies can go beyond for their customers.
For example, Lumberjacks goes beyond by kiln-drying all our wood – including the wood used to make our premium mulch. The kiln-drying process purifies the wood of chemicals, bugs and mold while ensuring optimal dryness. Low moisture content is obviously great for firewood, but you may not realize it’s also good for mulch. After all, mold and mildew require much moisture to grow, so dryness can prevent these from occurring.
What Is Their Customer Service Like?
Call the company and ask some questions you have. Or visit in person and interact with the employees. Do you feel like your questions are answered well and happily? Do you feel like the employees care about how you leave the store or conversation feeling? If you answered yes, that’s a great sign!
Do They Offer a Variety of Mulch Options?
A company that cares about your needs will offer at least a few different mulch varieties. For example, they may offer a variety of colors, so there’s a choice for every aesthetic.
Evaluating Mulch Near Me Quality
After assessing each company’s dedication and customer service, your list should be considerably smaller. Now, it’s time to evaluate the mulch quality. This step is equally important (if not even more critical) and requires a little research. But you don’t want to put subpar mulch around your property and reap those consequences, so the effort put into finding the best is well worth it!
Is The Mulch Near Me Organic?
If you want to reap all the benefits of using mulch, it has to be organic. This includes mulches made of wood, straw, cocoa beans, grass and leaves. Inorganic mulches are those made of gravel, pebbles, rubber and landscaping fabrics.
Only organic mulches will add much-needed nutrients to the soil as they decompose. Scientific research has shown that soil requires regular influxes of organic matter to thrive and be healthy. Thankfully, decomposing organic materials provide their nutrients over time for maximum results!
Was The Wood Locally Sourced?
You want mulch made from locally sourced wood because this is the only way to be 100% sure you aren’t inviting invasive species into your lawn… and, as a byproduct, into your region generally. Even if the mulch didn’t initially have bugs, long-distance travel presents many opportunities for them to be picked up.
Invasive species can wreak havoc on the local ecosystem. Often, these pests will quickly multiply and cause significant damage to local plants. In turn, plant-eating animal species of all kinds lose some of their food source, leading to starvation in some severe cases. Less plant-eating animals means less food for carnivores, and so the cycle continues.
Has It Been Processed In-House?
Look for mulch processed in-house rather than one where processing occurs off-site. This allows a company to have more supervision over its product and more control over its end results.
Is It Sold in Lose Bulk or Pre-Packaged Bags?
Buying bulk mulch rather than pre-packaged bags is better for two main reasons.
First and foremost, it’s more convenient. With bulk, you can buy exactly how much you need in cubic yards, and you won’t need to open a dozen bags to get the job done. If you don’t know how much bulk mulch you need to order, Lumberjacks has a helpful calculator!
Second, it’s hard to tell what you’re getting in pre-packaged bags, so assessing the mulch quality will be challenging. This task is a lot easier when you buy mulch in lose bulk, so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting!
Is It Guaranteed Free of Bugs, Chemicals and Mold?
You don’t want bugs, chemicals and mold introduced to your outdoor space through shoddy mulch. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can avoid this.
You can choose mulch that’s created from kiln-dried wood, which has been purified and optimally dried. Another option is ensuring the mulch is stored above the ground, so it has ample airflow to prevent the dampness that attracts bugs and breeds mold.
Lumberjacks Meets All These Criteria!
Your search for “high-quality mulch near me” can end here! Lumberjacks is proud to say we meet all these criteria! We’re a truly local company with a fantastic reputation for producing premium wood products, and we offer delivery, too. We go beyond for our customers by kiln-drying all our organic wood while providing top-notch customer service that keeps people coming back for more.
We offer four types of mulch: premium hardwood, bark, chocolate, and red mulch. All our mulches are loose bulk, free from undesirables, processed in-house and locally sourced from trusted harvesters.
Ready to Order High-Quality Mulch Near Me?
Premium mulch from a high-quality provider can transform your outdoor space into a thriving, aesthetically pleasing landscape you love spending time in. If you’re ready to start your next yard project, Lumberjacks is ready to help! Call us today to place your premium mulch order and begin reaping the many benefits of doing so. We can’t wait to hear from you!