13 Fall Mulch Tips

Installing mulch in the fall is beneficial because it protects plant roots from extreme temperatures in the winter months and also helps to preserve moisture if your region does not receive enough precipitation.

Here's a general rule for when to mulch a yard: Wait until after a hard frost in the fall to apply winter mulch. You don't want to apply it too early in the fall because mulch can delay the soil freezing process by retaining heat in the soil, according to experts with The Morton Arboretum in Illinois. 

The recommended mulch depth is 3-4 inches for medium- to coarse-textured materials, say experts with The Morton Arboretum. Spread mulch under trees, shrubs and throughout planting beds, as seen at this home by OakBridge Timber Framing on 5 acres on Lake Erie, Ohio.

Keep mulch away from the base of a tree, creating a donut-hole affect, advises The Morton Arboretum in Illinois. The mulched area should extend to the drip line of the tree branches, or at least cover a 4-5 foot diameter area around the trunk.