Why Mulch Makes a Big Difference
Mulch is more than just decorative. It works behind the scenes to keep your soil healthy, your plants happy, and your yard low-maintenance. If your beds are dry, patchy, or hard to manage, adding mulch could be the fix you’ve been looking for.
Improves Moisture Retention
Mulch helps your soil hold onto water longer, reducing how often you need to water and helping your plants stay hydrated during hot Chicago summers.
Blocks Weed Growth
By covering bare soil, mulch makes it harder for weeds to grow. That means less time pulling weeds and more time enjoying your yard.
Protects Roots and Soil
Mulch acts like insulation for your garden beds, regulating temperature and shielding roots from extreme heat or cold.
Enhances Appearance
Whether you prefer natural brown, black, or dyed mulch, a fresh layer instantly makes your yard look well-kept and cared for.
Reduces Soil Erosion
Mulch helps keep loose soil in place, especially during heavy rain or strong winds. That protects your plants and keeps your landscape looking neat.
Breathe New Life Into Your Landscape
A great-looking yard starts with the right foundation, and mulch plays a bigger role than most people think. Over time, bare soil can dry out, attract weeds, and make garden beds look neglected. Whether your mulch has thinned out or you’re starting fresh, installing a new layer brings both beauty and function to your yard.
At Arts Landscaping and Maintenance, we provide expert mulch installation services throughout Chicago. From front yard flower beds to full backyard makeovers, our team knows how to apply the right type and depth of mulch to protect your plants, block weeds, and add a polished finish to your outdoor space.
We take care of everything, delivery, prep, and installation, so you get great results without the mess or hassle.
We take a look at your landscape, check out the beds or tree rings you want mulched, and talk through the best mulch types and coverage areas for your space.
Walkthrough and Planning
Before laying mulch, we remove weeds, clear out debris, and edge the beds if needed. This helps the mulch sit neatly and do its job effectively.
Soil Prep and Clean-Up
We deliver the mulch of your choice and apply it evenly to the recommended depth, typically around 2–3 inches for best coverage and performance.
Mulch Delivery and Spreading
Once the mulch is down, we shape the beds, tidy up edges, and sweep or blow off hard surfaces so everything looks clean and intentional.
Finishing Touches
Need more than just mulch? Ask about pairing it with weed barrier installation, planting upgrades, or seasonal fertilizing to give your yard a full refresh.
Optional Add-Ons
Our Mulch Installation Process
We keep things simple, fast, and clean. Our team handles the heavy lifting so you get all the benefits of mulch without having to move a single bag. Here's how it works:
Choosing the Right Mulch for Your Yard
Shredded Hardwood Mulch: Popular for its natural look and durability, hardwood mulch breaks down slowly and enriches the soil over time. It holds up well in high-traffic areas and helps regulate soil temperature.
Dyed Mulch (Black, Brown, or Red): Color-enhanced mulch gives your yard a bold, uniform look while still offering all the functional benefits of mulch. It’s great for creating clean, eye-catching borders around beds and walkways.
Cedar or Pine Mulch: Naturally fragrant and resistant to bugs, these options are great for garden beds and decorative spaces. Their scent also helps deter certain pests and improves the overall experience in your yard.
Organic Mulch Options: Ideal for clients who want a natural, chemical-free choice that breaks down into rich, healthy soil. It’s a sustainable option that adds nutrients while improving soil structure over time.
Whatever you choose, we’ll apply it properly and make sure your plants get the full benefit.
Why Mulch Wears Out Over Time
Weather Breakdown: Sun, rain, and snow all take a toll on mulch, causing it to fade, compact, and decompose over time. This weakens its ability to retain moisture and block weed growth.
Plant Growth: As your garden fills in, roots may shift the mulch or make certain areas thinner. Shrubs and flowers expanding over time can also create gaps in mulch coverage.
Foot Traffic or Pets: Busy areas or curious pets can scatter mulch, making it less effective at covering soil and blocking weeds. This can also create uneven spots that affect the look of your beds.
Natural Decomposition: Organic mulch slowly breaks down, which is great for soil but means it needs to be replenished regularly. Once it becomes too fine, it stops providing protection and loses its visual appeal.
We’ll help you determine the right re-application schedule to keep things looking sharp and working well.
If you can see a lot of bare soil in your beds, it’s time to add more mulch to keep things protected. Exposed soil leads to more weed growth and faster water loss.
Visible Soil or Patchy Coverage
Weeds popping up through thin mulch is a clear sign it’s no longer doing its job. A fresh layer helps suppress them and gives your plants a better chance to thrive.
Increased Weed Growth
Mulch helps prevent soil erosion and keeps dirt off your flowers and foliage. Without it, rain can displace soil and damage delicate stems or blooms.
Runoff or Soil Splashing on Plants
As mulch breaks down, it becomes too fine to work effectively and needs replacing. You’ll notice it no longer stays in place or absorbs water as well as before.
Crumbly, Dusty Texture
Signs You’re Due for Fresh Mulch
Faded Color or Dry Texture: When your mulch looks pale or turns gray, it’s probably past its prime. This is a sign that UV rays and moisture have worn it down.
Common Mulch Misunderstandings
Mulch is just for looks.
It does improve curb appeal, but mulch is also a hardworking layer that protects your soil and plants.
You only need to mulch once.
Most mulch lasts 10–12 months before it fades or breaks down. Annual touch-ups are best for looks and performance.
More mulch is always better.
Too much mulch can suffocate plants and cause water to pool. We stick to the right depth for health and balance.
Any mulch works the same.
Different mulch types offer different benefits. We help you pick based on your goals, not just appearance.
Mulch attracts bugs.
Certain mulches actually repel pests. We’ll help you choose the right type to avoid problems.
Our Full-Range of Landscaping and Maintenance Services
I’m a person who takes a lot of pride in my landscaping, I’ve tried company after company, most of them made me feel like I was asking too much, was a hassle, or would be inconsistent w booking, when my friend recommended Arts Landscaping I didn’t know how great of an experience I would truly have. Brandon was extremely patient listening to all my requests and better yet fulfilling them! They are also very punctual and catered to my availability. I also really like how they clean up after them selves, no meat over grass chucks anll over my walk way or my lawn. Their work amazing and it’s fast! If you’re thinking of trying this company DO IT!
Sumee Abbasi
I definitely recommend all of the work that they do and I’m very pleased. There wasn’t any grass in the space before and now it’s very lush. I hired them to do two of my front bushes and help me get grass again. It was reasonably price and they were are professional. I will be hiring them for any future projects I have.
Andres Manuel
I had a great experience using this company. Brandon came by and talked through all of the areas I wanted work done. I wasn't totally sure of everything I wanted, so he was helpful and gave his advice. I appreciated that the quote was clear and detailed. He priced out different options for retaining walls, which helped me determine the best option for me. Scheduling was quick and easy. I am very happy with the work overall and plan to use them again in the future.
Fadya Salem
I absolutely love this company! I had very large bushes in front of my house that I needed to have trimmed. I tried in the past to work with three different companies and they ended up never getting trimmed because the communication was horrible. But as soon as I started working with Arts Landscaping And Maintenance Llc, the communication was great. They listened to what I wanted to have done and were very clear about the schedule. Extremely professional, I would highly rate them and hope to work with them again in the future.
River Watts
Common Mulch Installation FAQs
Book Your Mulch Installation Today
Ready to refresh your yard with clean, durable mulch? Arts Landscaping and Maintenance is here to help with fast, professional mulch installation across Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods.
Give us a call or fill out our easy contact form to schedule a free estimate. Whether you’re starting a new garden or just freshening things up, we’ll help you get the job done right.