Homeowner’s Guide to Pea Gravel Costs in NJ

Pea gravel is a very popular material, with a wide range of uses in both residential and commercial landscaping.

However, as you shop around, you’ll notice that pea gravel costs can vary considerably from one supplier to another, and you may be wondering about the factors that affect its price. The short answer is that quality, quantity and the nature of the supplier are the three main factors that drive pea gravel costs.

Consumers should make careful evaluations of each of these factors to choose the supplier that will best meet their needs for a price they can afford.

Pea Gravel Uses

First, it’s important to decide what type of pea gravel you want to use. To do that, you need to consider its application, and understand that different uses demand different varieties of pea gravel, some of which will cost more than others.

Value-grade pea gravel is best used for applications including:

An alternative to mulch: pea gravel can be used in place of mulch in gardens and around landscape features.
Patios: pea gravel can also be used to surface backyard patios.
Aquariums and water features: you can also use pea gravel to form a base layer in aquariums and around home water features like outdoor fountains or pool decks.

Higher-quality pea gravel is recommended for:

Driveways and walkways: because it can add a great deal of aesthetic value to your home, experts recommend using higher-quality pea gravel to finish driveways and walkways that are visible from the street outside of your home.

Factors Affecting Pea Gravel Costs

With your end application in mind, you can proceed to evaluate the pea gravel suppliers in your area by considering the three important factors mentioned above:

Quality: Rocks are rocks, right? Well, not quite. Value-grade pea gravel is made up of untreated stone, and is recommended for applications where practicality of more important than aesthetics. Higher-grade pea gravel, which may be dyed or colored, is also made from raw materials of superior quality, and as such, it will come at a slight premium.
Quantity: The more pea gravel you buy, the lower your per-unit cost will be. This is why it’s so important to accurately estimate the amount of pea gravel you’ll need. To calculate it, measure the surface area of the space you wish to cover, taking the desired depth of pea gravel into account. Be sure to leave a little extra so you can top up each spot as needed.
The nature of the supplier: Companies that manufacture their own pea gravel are able to offer the end product to consumers at reduced costs, since they eliminate markups and middle men. As an added benefit, you can be sure that such suppliers will offer more expertise and be able to answer any questions you might have about the characteristics of the pea gravel and its suitability for particular applications.

How to Choose the Right Pea Gravel Supplier

Finding the right supplier means finding the best value, and value comes from a good balance of convenience, customer service, expertise and pea gravel costs. You won’t be in a good position if you buy from a bargain-basement supplier, only to find that they don’t offer bulk delivery or offer inferior products that don’t meet your expectations.

As mentioned, companies that make their own pea gravel are inherently in a better position to offer advice, and good advice can save you a great deal of money in the long run by adding value to your purchase.

If you’re buying in bulk and you require delivery, you should also determine whether or not the supplier offers this service, and if so, at what price. Be sure to ask about terms and conditions, including factors like delivery times, delivery areas and whether or not the supplier is willing to drop off the product at varying locations, if you require that type of service.

Finally, factor pea gravel costs into the equation. Is the supplier offering expertise, convenience, delivery service and a quality product at an affordable price? If so, congratulations – you’ve found a great pea gravel supplier!

Pea Gravel Walkway vs. Stone Walkway

Creating a pea gravel walkway is an attractive proposition to many homeowners seeking an alternative to stone.

However, while decorative pea gravel has many benefits, it also has some limitations, which should be carefully evaluated to help you arrive at the best decision for your situation.

Your home’s exterior decorative elements have a profound effect on its curb appeal, which in turn can increase or decrease its resale value. In other words, the material you choose to use for your walkways isn’t a decision you should make haphazardly.

Pea Gravel Walkways: Benefits

Choosing a pea gravel walkway offers homeowners four primary benefits:

Ease of maintenance: Once you’ve laid your pea gravel walkway, you won’t have to do much to maintain it, beyond perhaps adding a little more and smoothing the slope of the surface if some of the original stones loosen or erode.
Ecological friendliness: Unlike many other paving materials, pea gravel will not harm grass or plants.
Design options: Decorative pea gravel is available in a wide range of colors and styles, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your walkway in dozens of different ways.
Binding capabilities: The most advanced pea gravel walkway products on the market have self-binding properties that essentially “stick” the stones together over time. This can reduce pea gravel’s already-low maintenance to near-zero levels.

Pea Gravel Walkways: Drawbacks

Relative to its advantages, pea gravel has few drawbacks. However, some of the disadvantages you should consider include:

Looseness: Non-binding pea gravel remains loose, and people can send it awry simply by walking on it. If yours is a high-traffic walkway, this characteristic of pea gravel could leave you making regular trips outside to pick stones off your lawn. In short, it isn’t the best option if you’re looking for permanence.
Potential hazards to toddlers and children. Pea gravel might not make the best choice if you have toddlers and young children in your household, since the loose nature of the stones may mean that they end up in places they don’t belong – like babies’ mouths.

Stone Walkways: Benefits

There are many good reasons for the popularity of stone walkways. Here are the top advantages they offer:

Beauty: There’s no question that stone walkways make a beautiful addition to all home styles. No matter what type of architecture your home has, stone will almost certainly complement it. Many real estate experts believe that stone walkways significantly add to the value of a home, though this added value does demand a larger up-front investment.
Durability: Stone is one of the most durable materials on the planet, and when subjected to normal weather and usage conditions, it will last a lifetime – and beyond.
Ease of repair: In most cases, repairs to stone walkways are as easy as lifting out the damaged element and replacing it with a new one. You’ll rarely if ever be faced with a large-scale repair situation, if the walkway was properly installed at the outset.

Like pea gravel, stone walkways are also very low-maintenance, though you may want to treat them seasonally or annually with protective coatings.

Stone Walkways: Drawbacks

In addition to the benefits of stone walkways, you should also take their drawbacks into account. They include:

Cost: Stone walkways, especially interlocking styles, can be very expensive, and on average, they cost far more than pea gravel. If you’re on a tight budget and you prefer the look of stone, decorative pea gravel may be a better bet.
Contractor evaluation: Unlike pea gravel, you’ll likely have to hire a contractor to install your stone walkway. That means you’ll have to spend the time and effort evaluating the qualifications of various local contractors, comparing quotes and ultimately rolling the dice on an installation professional whose work may or may not live up to its billing.

Final Thoughts

While the best choice for your home comes down to your budget, where you live and your individual preferences, there’s no question that pea gravel has a lot to offer. Stone is an excellent alternative, though, and it may make a better choice if you’re looking to avoid the inherent disadvantages of pea gravel mentioned above.

Pea Gravel Walkways: How to Create the Perfect One

Building a pea gravel walkway is an excellent alternative to having a paved sidewalk leading to your front door.

Pea gravel is much more affordable, much easier to maintain and adds a great deal of curb appeal to your home.

That, in turn, can send its resale value in the right direction, all for an affordable investment that doesn’t take a great deal of expertise or know-how to implement.

Pea gravel walkways are also excellent in backyards, allowing you and your family to enjoy your outdoor scenery without trampling your grass.

Building a Pea Gravel Walkway: Determining Shape

During the planning phase, your first step will be to determine the shape and width of your pea gravel walkway. It goes without saying that the simplest types of walkways are straight.

However, in backyards and gardens, you may want to build winding walkways that lead visitors to the various elements you want to highlight in your yard. This is slightly more elaborate, but really only demands that you bridge twists and turns in the walkways with easy-to-plan and easy-to-built straight sections.

Experts recommend making your pea gravel walkway wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side without being too close to the edge. As a general guideline, a width of three feet should suffice in most cases.

Building a Pea Gravel Walkway: Lay the Foundation and Edging Material

The key foundational element of a pea gravel walkway is a compact base. Given the local climate here in New Jersey, your soil should be firm enough to provide this base on its own.

However, if you’d prefer something firmer than Mother Nature offers, you can use tamped-down packed stone to create a base about two and a half inches deep. Over time, that amount of tamped-down stone will naturally settle to a depth of about two inches.

Begin by using line-marking paint to plot the shape of the path, then dig down to a depth of about four to four-and-a-half inches if you’re using tamped-down packed stone, or two to two-and-a-half inches if the soil is a suitable base. Then, place a layer of landscape fabric over the foundation; this will stop weeds from growing up through the walkway.

Next, you will add vertically oriented edging to the sides of the path to keep the pea gravel properly contained.

Most pea gravel walkway edges are made from narrow lengths of galvanized steel, which are available at home improvement retailers. Alternately, you can use plastic, cobblestones, pressure-treated wood or bricks, depending on your budget and the look you’re going for.

Remember to account for the width of the edging when you’re planning the overall width of the path. Once you’ve gotten this far, you’re ready to add your pea gravel!

Building a Pea Gravel Walkway: Choose Your Pea Gravel

Reputable suppliers offer homeowners a varied range of pea gravel options. The most basic type of pea gravel is made from untreated stones which offer a simple, natural look.

This will be your least expensive option, though you might want to consider others if you’re looking for certain colors or visual characteristics.

You can also get pea gravel that is treated with dyes or coloring agents, creating a vast array of enticing options.

Some types of pea gravel are also finished with residues that alter their appearance in certain types of light, so if you want a dazzling daytime look or a type of pea gravel that shimmers as the sun goes down, find a supplier that offers a varied range of products and can help you choose the one that best meets your vision.

Building a Pea Gravel Walkway: Installing the Gravel

If you installed your foundation and edging correctly, placing the pea gravel should be a straightforward task. Simply deposit the pea gravel into the walkway bit by bit, then smooth it over with a rake to create a level surface.

When you’re pouring the pea gravel, stop when you’re about half an inch from the top of the edging. This will prevent it from spilling over.

Instead of pouring pea gravel straight from the container, you can fill a wheelbarrow and shovel it into place before smoothing it over with the rake. Continue until your new walkway is complete and enjoy!

Building a Pea Gravel Walkway: Maintenance

Easy maintenance is one of the biggest advantages of a pea gravel walkway. Simply inspect the surface and the edging seasonally to make sure everything is holding up.

If any edges are damaged or frayed, replace them promptly. Otherwise, chances are you’ll need to do no more than make spot additions of replacement pea gravel to keep the surface smooth and even.

When looking for a pea gravel supplier in NJ, look no further than Braen Supply. With 110 years of experience in the stone industry, we can solve to any project you have in mind.

We sell pea gravel in bulk for wholesale prices and will deliver in NJ, NYC, NY and PA. Reach out to one of our experts at Braen Supply with all of your pea gravel walkway questions.

Pea Gravel Patio: Depths, Installation & Maintenance

Building a pea gravel patio is an excellent low-cost alternative to elaborate, high-maintenance wooden decks and expensive stone or interlocking brick.

Best of all, simple pea gravel patios are a DIY project that don’t require a great deal of experience or know-how. All they take is a little careful planning and some elbow grease.

To get started, plan the shape and depth of your patio, then plot it out in your yard and create the foundational base. From there, all you’ll need to do is fill it in with pea gravel and enjoy. With a little regular maintenance, your pea gravel patio will give you a lifetime of enjoyment.

Pea Gravel Patio Depth

Similar to pea gravel walkways, most pea gravel patios are constructed to offer a depth of about two inches, though you may need to dig deeper if the underlying soil isn’t firm enough to provide an effective foundation.

Thus, your first step should be to determine whether or not you’ll need to add a base layer.

If the underlying soil is densely packed with a clay-like consistency, it will perform well as a base without any additional material. Most soil in New Jersey is like this, but you should always make sure before proceeding with your plan.

If it’s sandy or loose in consistency, you should add a layer of tamped-down packed stone above the soil. Here are your depth guidelines:

Dig to an overall depth of about 2.5 inches if the soil will serve as the base.
Dig to an overall depth of 4 to 4.5 inches if you’re going to use tamped-down packed stone as a base.

Plot the shape of your patio using spray paint, then dig to the required depth using the aforementioned criteria. The shape of your patio won’t affect your depth, as depth is dependent solely on whether or not you’re using a soil or tamped-down packed stone base.

Pea Gravel Patio Installation

Once you’ve dug out the patio outline to the required depth, your next step will be to add edging around the perimeter. The most popular edging materials include:

Galvanized steel.
Plastic.
Cobblestone.
Bricks.
Pressure-treated wood.
Cedar.

These edging materials will be readily available through local home improvement retailers.

Before you lay the pea gravel, you will need to cover the surface of the patio with landscape fabric. You can lay this fabric directly over the soil if you’re using soil as the foundational base, or on top of the tamped-down packed stone, which you should fill to a depth of about 2.5 inches before adding the fabric.

When you’re ready, simply add about 2 inches of pea gravel to the patio, leaving about half an inch of room between the top of the gravel and the top of your edging material. This will prevent spillovers. Then, simply level out the surface of the patio using a rake, and you’re done!

If you’ve chosen an elaborate patio design and you’re not confident in your ability to execute, it may be helpful to hire a landscaping expert or contractor to help you realize your vision. It will be worth the extra investment to ensure the job gets done right the first time.

Pea Gravel Patio Maintenance

One of the very best things about a pea gravel patio is that it won’t require a great deal of maintenance. Pea gravel is extremely robust, and the only real risk to its continued performance is that loosely packed stones can become dislodged over time.

If this happens, simply smooth out affected areas with a rake, adding more pea gravel if necessary. Beyond that, your pea gravel patio should maintain itself!

Choosing a Pea Gravel Supplier

When considering the various pea gravel suppliers, it’s a good idea to stick with a company that quarries its own gravel. This has several advantages; first, you’ll get a higher-quality product at a lower price, since you’ll be buying directly from the manufacturer.

Second, when you choose a company with hands-on experience and expertise, you’ll benefit from professional advice on which type of pea gravel is best for your intended application.

Building a pea gravel patio can add a great deal of value to your home and give you and your family a beautiful outdoor oasis to enjoy for years to come. Get the most out of your investment by choosing a reputable pea gravel supplier that quarries locally and can answer any and all questions you might have about its products and services.

Homeowner’s Guide to Pea Gravel Costs in NY

Pea Gravel Cost in NY Pea gravel has a wide range of uses in exterior design, and as with any landscaping product, the goal is to find pea gravel at a competitive price from a supplier that cares about what they do.

To find a quality supplier, you need to understand the factors that determine the price of pea gravel and learn how to compare and contrast the available suppliers.

Pea Gravel Costs: What Is Pea Gravel?

Broadly speaking, gravel is a construction and landscaping product made up of rock and stone fragments that conform to relatively small size characteristics.

The defining feature of pea gravel is that its component rocks are small, rounded and uniform in size – like peas.

The United States has been one of the world’s most prolific gravel producers for many years, and as such, the domestic market is replete with options. Quality pea gravel has several defining characteristics, but before considering these, you should first have a thorough understanding of its range of possible uses.

Pea Gravel Costs: Top Uses for Pea Gravel

Here are the four most common applications for pea gravel:

Landscaping: Pea gravel lends gardens, fountains and landscaping features a rustic and natural appeal while helping protect plant roots and inhibit weed growth.
Residential construction: Pea gravel is a popular material for driveways as well as walkways, particularly in rural areas.
Playgrounds: One of the most useful features of pea gravel is that it allows water to drain through the spaces between the stones very easily, making it an excellent choice for keeping playgrounds dry and safe.
Pool decks and aquariums: Pea gravel is commonly seen filling the bottom layer of home aquariums, and it is also an excellent natural material for filling in the decks of indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Some people also like the look and feel of pea gravel as a patio surface, especially if they’re going for a natural esthetic in yards and gardens.

Pea Gravel Costs: Factors Affecting Price

There are numerous factors that affect the cost of pea gravel, the most important of which are the amount you are ordering and delivery.

Also, as with just about all landscaping and construction materials, you’ll usually get a volume discount if you buy in bulk. In other words, the more pea gravel you buy, the lower your per-unit costs will be. However, because pea gravel is typically sold by weight/volume, you should perform careful surface area calculations to ensure you’re purchasing the right amount.

Pea Gravel Costs: Choosing the Right Supplier

As mentioned, pea gravel costs are not the only thing to consider when choosing a supplier. It’s also important to consider how much expertise the supplier has, and how their customer service policies will affect your satisfaction.

Many people, particularly hobbyists and people just starting out with DIY projects, make the mistake of assuming that there isn’t much to know about pea gravel.

The truth is that there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye – the type of rock, its finish, its weight and drainage characteristics all need to be taken into careful consideration. That’s why choosing a supplier that knows its business is vital if you want to get the best possible performance.

Finally, consider delivery costs and options. If you need a large volume of pea gravel, or if you’re in a remote location without the ability to pick the gravel up yourself, you’ll want to choose a pea gravel supplier that offers courteous, cost-effective delivery and on-site drop off to ensure your full satisfaction

Mulch Deliveries in NJ: The 5 Things to Know

If you’ve been shopping around for mulch delivery in NJ, chances are you’ve already determined that not all options are equal.

When you’re looking for a reliable provider of mulch delivery services, there are five key criteria you should use to evaluate your options: the source of the mulch, the price, delivery terms, customer service and drop-off options.

Mulch Delivery NJ: Factors that Influence Price

While the bottom-line price is an important consideration, you need to take a careful look at what’s behind the numbers.

Ideally, you want to work with a mulch delivery company that offers premium products at competitive prices; with mulch, you get what you pay for, and you’re very likely to notice a drop-off in performance and quality if you choose to buy the cheapest mulch you can find.

Mulch Delivery NJ: Delivery Terms

If you need bulk mulch delivery in NJ, you should keep in mind that not all delivery services offer this option. Companies with limited delivery fleets may not be able to fill very large mulch orders, while others may charge you a premium for delivering a high product volume.

When you’re considering various mulch delivery companies, be sure to make detailed inquiries about delivery policies and pricing levels. Reliable and reputable mulch delivery services can fill orders of practically any size for predictable fixed rates that won’t break your budget.

Mulch Delivery NJ: Customer Service Makes a Major Difference

When it comes to customer service, the little things make a big difference. The best mulch delivery companies will pay close attention to small details by calling you to confirm your order and the delivery arrangements, and ensuring drivers and delivery staff are helpful and courteous.

Again, as far as customer service is concerned, you’re at an advantage if you work with a delivery company that manufactures its own product. That way, you can get all your questions answered at once.

Do you need help choosing a mulch product for a specific soil type or application?
Are you unsure how thick your mulch layer should be?
Are you confused about the relative advantages and disadvantages of your various options?

You should be, and you should choose a company that can answer all of these questions instead of referring you to third parties.

Mulch Delivery NJ: Drop-Off Options

Some companies won’t provide customized service to people who need mulch dropped off in specific locations. Instead, they assume that it’s perfectly all right to unload the mulch where it’s convenient for them, not for you.

You deserve better, particularly if you’re placing a large bulk order and you need the mulch to be delivered to multiple places or several different drop-off points at the same location.

Always take the time to clarify drop-off service options before you arrange delivery, since you don’t want to be left scrambling to fix any problems or shortcomings yourself.

Why Choose Braen Supply?

Braen Supply is one of the leading bulk mulch delivery companies in the region, offering flexible and convenient service to customers in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

At Braen Supply, you can take advantage of highly competitive prices on quality mulch products, along with value-added service, expert guidance and a comprehensive range of delivery and drop-off options that take the hassle out of buying mulch in bulk.

Buy Mulch for Bulk Delivery at Great Prices in NJ & NY

Mulch plays a vital role in creating and maintaining healthy lawns and gardens, and it also has important applications in commercial agriculture.

The primary purpose of mulch in NJ and NYC is to increase soil fertility, and when the right type of mulch is paired with quality topsoil, lush gardens, thick lawns and bountiful harvests often result.

To choose the right bulk mulch in NJ and NY, it’s important to understand its composition and range of applications. Not all mulches are made equal, and learning what makes a better mulch will help you generate the best possible results from your gardening and agricultural projects.

What’s In Mulch?

Mulch is made from a wide range of materials, which are mixed in different proportions to create a product with specific characteristics. Ingredients and proportions must be carefully chosen and combined to achieve a certain pH level or decomposition rate.

This is part of the reason it’s important to choose the right bulk mulch supplier in NJ and NY. Experienced, knowledgeable professionals can help you select the right mulch for your unique needs.

With that said, most mulches contain a similar set of basic materials, including:

Organics – Leaves, grass, peat moss, bark and wood chips, straw and hay are commonly used in commercially prepared mulch. Most mulches are primarily composed of wood chips and bark.
Composted materials – Manure and food scraps are also used to ensure the mulch supports soil fertility.

Some mulches also contain inorganic materials, including recycled rubber, thin plastics and rocks. These components are chosen for highly specific applications; mulch which contains plastic is often used for commercial-scale vegetable cultivation, and mulch with rocks or gravel retains heat, which is very useful in cooler growing conditions.

Commercially prepared mulch is made through a carefully controlled multi-step process.

First, the bark and wood chips that make up the bulk of the mulch are finely ground before secondary ingredients are added in the correct proportions.

From there, additives such as environmentally safe, UV-resistant colorants can be applied before the mulch is bagged and sold to distributors and retailers.

What Is Mulch Used For?

Mulch offers several key agricultural and gardening benefits, including:

Moisture retention in soil, supporting healthy plants and grass.
Improved soil health and fertility.
Reduced weed growth.

Whether you’re an avid gardener or a commercial agriculturalist, using mulch can greatly improve the overall results of your growing efforts. It can be spread directly over uncultivated soil at the beginning of the growing season, or used on lawns and gardens which are already supporting plants and grass.

What to Look For in a Quality Bulk Mulch Supplier

Like mulch itself, not all mulch suppliers are equal. Quality suppliers offer three important benefits:

Knowledge and experience – Suppliers that have been in business for a long time have more know-how. You can leverage their experience to get better results, both immediately and over the long term.
Excellent customer service – Courteous, prompt service that’s supported by a broad knowledge base makes the task of choosing mulch easier and more efficient.
Convenient delivery options – Add to your value proposition by working with a provider of bulk mulch in NJ and NY that offers flexible delivery options to your home or work site.

Choosing a supplier of bulk mulch in NJ and NY that offers all three of these advantages will ensure you get the greatest possible return on your investment.

How Much Should Mulch Cost?

As with any other product, you get what you pay for. Products made from high-quality ingredients cost more, but they also perform better.

Before settling on a particular type of mulch, be sure to discuss the specifics of your intended application with a reputable supplier. They will be able to help you select a product that’s specially formulated for the type of work you’re doing and the soil conditions you’re working with.

As one of the largest suppliers of mulch in NJ and NY we welcome any questions you may have about mulch or your upcoming mulch project.

Mulch Calculator: Free Online Tool

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Just like a gravel calculator can help you determine how much crushed rock you need for a particular application, gardeners and agriculturalists can use a mulch calculator to plan for their projects too.

Proper planning is essential to the success of both small-scale and large-scale projects, and it’s very important to use the right amount of mulch to give yourself the best chance of generating the results you’re after.

What Does a Mulch Calculator Do?

A mulch calculator is an easy-to-use online tool that provides accurate estimates of your volume needs based on specific criteria.

Comprehensive mulch calculators generate these estimates using three main factors:

The area to be covered – Adding these numbers together.
The type of mulch you’re using – Some mulches are thicker and more voluminous than others, which affects calculations. Thinner mulches are needed in greater quantities to cover an area to a given depth than thicker ones.
The intended depth of the mulch layer – The depth of the mulch layer will differ, depending on your intended application.

Apart from the surface area of the space you’re working with, these factors will vary from project to project. It’s important to choose a mulch that is specially formulated to support specific growing activities; some mulches are designed for commercial fruit and vegetable cultivation, while others are more adept at warding off lawn and garden weeds.

Similarly, not all mulches need to be applied to the same depth. The primary factor that determines depth is whether you’re applying the mulch to bare soil at the beginning of the growing season, or using it to supplement existing growth after growing season is already underway.

How Do I Use a Mulch Calculator?

Mulch calculators are designed for intuitive ease of use. You simply need to enter the appropriate information in the given fields, and the tool will do the rest.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that the results you generate will only be as accurate as the information you provide.

If you’re making broad estimates of the area to be covered as well as the depth of the mulch you need, your results will be less accurate than they would be if you took the time to measure precisely.

What Will the Mulch Calculator Tell Me?

The mulch calculator will tell you how much mulch you need to buy to cover an area of the indicated size to the indicated depth. Some calculators are calibrated to provide an estimate of the number of bags you’ll need, assuming that you’ll be buying standard bags containing 2 to 3 cubic feet of mulch.

In some cases, you can toggle between bag sizes, which is a very useful feature if you’re trying to generate an accurate cost forecast.

Things to Keep in Mind when Using a Mulch Calculator

The single most important thing to keep in mind when using a mulch calculator is to be as accurate as possible in your estimates and projections. If you’re not sure what type of mulch you need for a specific application, discuss your project with a knowledgeable and experienced mulch producer or distributor. They will be able to offer helpful advice that will benefit your efforts while helping you keep costs as low as possible.

You should also double-check all fields before finalizing the calculation to make sure that you’re using the correct units.

For example, you may have determined the surface area of your lawn, garden or field in square yards when the calculator needs you to enter this information in square feet. Other calculators may offer a choice of different area or depth units, so be sure you’re working with the right units before submitting your calculations.

If you’re looking for a reliable mulch supplier, look no further than Braen Supply. Talk to one of our experts for more information on how to get started with your next mulch project. We can’t wait to help![/vc_column_text][templatera id=”7545″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Mulch for Sale in NJ

When used properly, mulch supports the robust health of plants and gardens. It helps soil retain moisture while redistributing important nutrients that promote strong plant growth while warding off weeds and other pests.

Mulch is also one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve the appearance of gardens and landscapes.

How to Buy Mulch for Sale in New Jersey

When shopping for mulch in NJ, look for suppliers that offer these value propositions:

The right balance of quality and price: The cheapest brands are often made with inferior raw materials that won’t perform as well as higher-quality alternatives. Braen Supply offers a superior product at a better price.
Knowledge and experience: Suppliers with broader knowledge bases and extensive experience are better able to offer tips and advice to their customers, and that is a big benefit in and of itself.
Customer service excellence: Some suppliers simply don’t make the grade when it comes to serving their customers, so be sure to inquire about delivery and drop-off policies before completing your order to make sure the company will meet your unique needs.

Which Type of Mulch Is Right for Your Project?

There are many different types of mulch, and both organic and inorganic options are available. Broadly speaking, though, mulch can be broken down into three main types, each of which has specific advantages for particular types of projects:

Natural mulch: Also known as organic mulch, the primary benefit of natural mulch is that it is biodegradable. As it breaks down, natural mulch adds nutrients to the soil, which helps you maintain healthier gardens and landscapes. Organic mulch also offers some protection against weeds, though you will generally have to apply it in thicker layers that run 4 to 6 inches deep, or 2 to 3 inches deep in shaded areas.
Red mulch: Red mulch is made of dyed wood chips. Wood-based red mulch plays a primarily decorative role. It will provide a unique look that will accentuate your landscape.
Black mulch: Black mulch is similar to red mulch in that it is dyed. Like red mulch, black mulch also promotes moisture retention, which in turn helps plants grow strong and healthy. Black mulch will give your landscape that darkened look without compromising the lighter shades of colors surrounding it.

How to Get Top-Quality Mulch

When evaluating the quality of mulch, the two most important characteristics to consider are consistency and appearance. Consistency applies primarily to wood-based mulch, particularly in terms of the relative softness or hardness of the wood chips used to make it.

Harder, heavier wood lasts longer and doesn’t break down as quickly, but it also has a thicker profile and isn’t generally considered to be the most esthetically pleasing option. Softer wood, on the other hand, degrades more quickly and needs to be replaced more often, but most landscapers think it looks nicer.

Choosing mulch based on appearance alone isn’t the best strategy. You want a product that looks nice, but you also need to consider how quickly the mulch will break down (if it’s made from organic ingredients). The more often you have to reapply the mulch, the greater your costs will be in the long run.

How to Maintain Mulch in NJ

Here are some professional tips for maintaining mulch in NJ:

Install raised-edge bordering materials to stop mulch from spilling over, or dig a shallow trench along garden borders and planting beds.
Do not apply mulch around tree trunks, shrub roots or areas where leaves pile up.
Check the appearance of your mulch regularly and top up degrading mulch promptly.
Purchase your mulch in large quantities to keep your costs down and ensure you always have the supply you need to maintain your garden.

The mulch supplier you choose has a major impact on your landscaping efforts, and it’s always best to work with a mulch supplier that offers extensive know-how and competitive prices.

Be sure to discuss your project needs in detail with your mulch supplier before you buy to ensure you’re getting the right kind of mulch for the work you’re doing.

2015 Mulch Prices

Mulch is one of the most versatile landscaping products on the market, offering gardeners and landscapers a wide range of benefits.

These benefits must be carefully weighed against costs to ensure you’re getting good value for your investment.

Not all mulches are made equal, and quality has a direct impact on price.

However, costs are also influenced by a range of other factors, each of which must be carefully assessed.

It’s especially important to do your homework if you’re planning to buy your mulch in bulk, as you don’t want to be stuck with a large quantity of mulch that isn’t right for your intended application or doesn’t perform the way you expect.

With that in mind, here’s a look at how to get the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to mulch prices in 2015.

Mulch Prices 2015: Why Is Mulch Important?

Mulch has many applications in gardening and landscaping, including:

Improving the esthetic value and overall appearance of gardens and landscaped elements.
Helping soil retain moisture, thus promoting stronger, healthier plant growth.
Redistributing key nutrients back into the soil, where it can be absorbed by plant roots.
Warding off predatory insects, weeds and other pests.

Its use is highly recommended for casual gardeners, hobbyists, commercial agriculturalists and professional landscapers alike.

Factors Influencing Mulch Prices in 2015

Mulch prices will vary according to the type of mulch you purchase. While there are many different types of mulch on the market, they can be broadly grouped into three main categories:

Natural: Also known as organic mulch, natural mulch is primarily composed of pieces of hardwood and/or softwood bark. This is brown in appearance and is not dyed.
Red: Named for its color, red mulch is most often made from small chunks of natural or reclaimed wood which have been dyed red using an environmentally friendly coloring agent.
Black: Like red mulch, black mulch is named for its color; it can be made from the same wooden materials used in red mulch, only dyed black.

In addition to the type of mulch, the amount of mulch you need will also affect your end cost. Different applications require different amounts of mulch, though some general guidelines do apply.

First, if the mulch you’re using has a fine consistency, it should usually be applied in 2 to 3 inch layers. Mulches with thicker consistencies can be laid up to 4 inches deep. In both cases, you should leave 1 to 2 inches of open “breathing space” around the roots of the plant or tree to ensure there will be adequate air penetration.

Delivery is yet another factor influencing mulch prices in 2015. Bulk mulch delivery is very convenient for customers who need large product quantities, but it’s a service that ultimately increases the bottom-line cost.

With bulk mulch delivery, check with the company to make sure you understand their terms and conditions before placing your order. If you need mulch dropped off at multiple locations, or several different points at the same site, make sure this service is offered by your mulch provider.

Finally, you need to consider whether the mulch is coming from a wholesale or retail source. Wholesalers offer lower prices, especially when you buy from the same company that produces the mulch. When you buy mulch on a retail basis, you can expect prices to rise since third-party distributors markup the products they sell.

Mulch Prices 2015: Finding the Right Supplier for You

To find the right mulch supplier, look for wholesale companies that sell mulch in bulk quantities. Compare their prices against comparable retailers like Home Depot or Lowe’s; chances are you’ll find that wholesalers offer significant savings.

Once you’ve found the right mulch for the right price, contact the company and ask about their delivery policies if you need to buy mulch in bulk. Performing thorough comparative research and choosing the company that offers the best combination of affordability and service excellence is the tried-and-true route to finding the right mulch supplier for your needs.