Should we plant, or mulch first?

Question

We have a slope in our backyard, and my husband does not want to mow on it anymore. He says he is going to put mulch on the slope this weekend, and I am saying we should plant trees and bushes first. Do you have experience with this, and can help?

Answer 1

Plant life first will help keep the mulch where it is supposed to be instead of it being washed away so easily. Mulching after planting will also be less of a pain as you will have to move the mulch out of the way for digging. Adding later will be ok, too.

Answer 2

If you put down mulch before you build the ground up you will end up losing alot of it the first heavy rain, it will get washed away. I would suggest getting some timbers and make like a border with them plant some bushes or what ever you like then apply mulch. good luck.

Answer 3

Plant; then mulch! If you mulch first and then plant you will have to disturb the mulch when digging holes for the trees and plants. This would create a "dirt and mulch mess".

Answer 4

Trees first, then mulch. Have you considered planting ground cover instead of using mulch?

Answer 5

For trees and bushes, I'd probably plant first, then mulch. For annuals and small perennials, it doesn't really matter. The only logic behind my reasoning is that planting trees and bushes will require a bigger disturbance and you need someone to put the dirt in when you dig a hole for them.

OK, make that some place to put dirt in. Someone probably wouldn't appreciate getting dirt put in them.

Answer 6

Plant first, then mulch.

Answer 7

if it's trees and bushes, plant first. then mulch. It will look better when you're done.