In the video, Brian walks through garden beds being edged and refreshed with mulch. Done in spring or fall, mulch holds moisture, blocks weeds and feeds the soil.

Video by Brian Huie on YouTube. Watch on YouTube

How often: Early spring or fall
Video: 36 seconds

When should you mulch in the Seattle area?

Spring and fall, when weed seeds sprout the most. WSU Extension says to mulch bare soil as soon as practical in those seasons, and the Saving Water Partnership lists mulching in spring and leaf mulch in autumn. Top it up as it breaks down.

How deep should mulch be?

Flower and vegetable beds: 1 to 3 inches of leaves, compost, grass clippings or straw.
Trees, shrubs and perennials: 2 to 4 inches of wood chips or coarse bark.
Arborist wood chips for weed control: 4 to 6 inches. A layer that is too thin can actually help weeds.

How do you prep and mulch a bed?

Knock weeds down by mowing or cutting them close to the ground, then mulch right away instead of tearing up the soil. Pull aggressive spreaders and remove them.
Optionally lay a thin layer of compost under the mulch.
Spread mulch to the right depth and keep it at least an inch from plant stems. Taper it near tree trunks; no mulch volcanoes.
Leave a strip of bare soil next to the foundation.

Safety notes

Mulch piled against trunks invites fungus, and mulch against the house can give insects a path inside. The EPA suggests keeping mulch and shrubs at least 18 inches from the house.
Coarse wood chips are the least flammable organic mulch; rubber mulch is the most hazardous.

Seattle-area notes

Fall leaves make free mulch, and arborist wood chips are often free from tree services, according to the Saving Water Partnership of Seattle-area utilities.

Sources

Checked October 2026. Manufacturer instructions for a specific model come first. General information, not a substitute for a licensed professional.

From the Home Care Manual by Brian Huie, a principal broker with Compass Real Estate in Seattle.

Home Care Manual

How to mulch and prep garden beds