Niki Powell

Landscaping does not stop when the temperatures start to drop. For property managers, municipalities, and commercial landscapers, cooler weather is the perfect time to strengthen soil, protect plants, and prepare for changing conditions. Using these seasonal mulching tips to ensure landscapes look professional, stay healthy, and remain ready even as the season shifts.

Cooler weather creates unique challenges. Soil can compact, roots become stressed, and moisture patterns shift with lower rainfall and cooler nights. Mulch acts as a protective layer, stabilizing soil temperature, preventing erosion, and retaining moisture. For large-scale landscaping jobs, mulching at this time of year also helps reduce maintenance needs through the winter and early spring.

The Compost Company provides two types of mulch, each designed to meet different needs for properties of all sizes:

• Natural Hardwood Mulch: A durable, long-lasting option that provides excellent coverage for commercial landscapes, office properties, and residential projects. It creates a clean, professional look while helping to regulate soil temperature and suppress weeds.
• Compost Mulch: A unique blend that combines the benefits of compost and mulch in one product. Compost Mulch not only insulates and protects soil but also feeds it with nutrients over time. It’s an efficient choice for property owners who want to improve soil health while maintaining a neat appearance.

Whether you are managing a business campus, a school, a municipal space, or a larger residential property, these mulch types provide both practical and aesthetic benefits. Ordering by the cubic yard makes it easier to cover larger areas without the waste and cost of bagged products.

Depth matters when it comes to mulching. Applying too much mulch can trap moisture and damage roots, while too little leaves soil exposed. A balanced layer protects soil, regulates temperature, and improves the overall look of any property.

• 2–3 inches for garden beds and property edges
• 3–4 inches for trees and shrubs that need extra insulation
• 1–2 inches for high-traffic or decorative areas where airflow is important

Mulch should always be applied evenly, with care taken to avoid piling it against tree trunks or plant stems. For easy planning, try using The Compost Company’s Compost Calculator to estimate how much mulch you’ll need for your space.

Late-season mulching is best scheduled once temperatures consistently cool but before the soil hardens. This timing allows mulch to settle in and provide maximum insulation and moisture retention before winter. Contractors managing multiple properties often schedule projects from late September into November to stay ahead of harsher conditions.

For landscapers managing multiple sites, efficiency is key. Bulk mulch delivery helps crews cover more ground with less downtime. Options include:

• Delivery by the cubic yard for large installations
• Staged drop-offs for projects across multiple sites
• Seasonal orders to lock in supply and avoid shortages during peak demand

Bulk ordering also reduces packaging waste, making it a sustainable choice.

Whether you’re managing a business property, a municipal space, or your own home landscape, there are a few best practices that help mulch perform its best during cooler weather:

• Apply evenly across the surface: Consistent coverage keeps soil protected and looking professional.
• Combine with compost for added benefits: Pairing mulch with compost enriches soil, improves structure, and sets plants up for healthier growth.
• Focus on erosion control: On slopes or exposed areas, mulch helps prevent runoff and soil loss during seasonal rains.
• Check back in spring: A quick inspection in early spring ensures mulch is still doing its job and lets you refresh areas that need a touch-up.

Following these practices keeps outdoor spaces functional, sustainable, and visually appealing through seasonal changes.

Cooler weather brings opportunities to prepare landscapes for the months ahead. Mulch protects soil, conserves moisture, and prevents erosion, making it a valuable tool for businesses, municipalities, and homeowners alike. Planning ahead with bulk delivery ensures projects stay on schedule and ready for the next season.

Looking for reliable supply? The Compost Company provides high-quality Natural Hardwood Mulch and Compost Mulch by the cubic yard, delivered throughout Tennessee and neighboring states. Use our Compost Calculator to estimate what you’ll need, and schedule delivery with confidence.

Fall is one of the best times to tackle lawn renovation. Cooler temperatures, consistent rainfall, and softer soil conditions create the perfect environment for grass seed germination and root growth. For landscapers and property managers, this season is the golden opportunity to bring tired summer lawns back to life.

A technique gaining traction is overseeding with compost. By combining grass seed with a thin layer of compost, landscapers can improve soil quality, enhance germination, and set the stage for long-term turf health. But what exactly does overseeding mean, and how does compost fit into the process? Let’s break it down.

Put simply, overseeding is the process of planting new grass seed directly into an existing lawn without tearing up the turf. It’s a common lawn renovation technique used to:

• Fill in bare or thin spots
• Improve turf density
• Introduce newer, more resilient grass varieties
• Reduce weed growth by crowding out unwanted plants

When done correctly in fall, overseeding strengthens lawns before winter, so they return greener and healthier in spring.

Many landscapers topdress with straw, peat moss, or commercial fertilizers when overseeding. But compost provides a natural, nutrient-rich alternative that supports both the soil and the seed. Here’s why:

1. Nutrient boost: Compost contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that feed new grass seedlings.
2. Moisture retention: Compost holds water like a sponge, creating ideal conditions for germination.
3. Improved seed-to-soil contact: A thin layer of compost helps anchor seeds, preventing them from blowing away or washing off during rain.
4. Long-term soil health: Unlike synthetic fertilizers, compost improves soil structure, making it easier for roots to grow deep.

Adding compost to a lawn doesn’t need to be complicated. The basic process for overseeding with compost looks like this:

1. Mow and prep the lawn: Cut the grass shorter than usual and remove clippings to expose soil.
2. Aerate if needed: Core aeration opens up the soil and improves seed-to-soil contact.
3. Spread grass seed: Use a broadcast spreader to apply your chosen grass seed evenly across the lawn.
4. Topdress with compost: Spread a thin layer of compost , about ¼ to ½ inch, over the seeded area. This protects the seed, adds nutrients, and locks in moisture.
5. Water consistently: Keep the soil moist but not soggy for 2–3 weeks to encourage germination.

For small residential lawns, this topdressing can be done with shovels and rakes. For larger properties or commercial spaces, landscapers typically use compost spreaders, topdressers, or arrange for bulk deliveries to save time and ensure even coverage.

The key is consistency! Spread compost evenly so seed has just enough cover to stay moist and anchored. Too thick, and grass seed struggles to push through; too thin, and it won’t get the full moisture and nutrient benefits compost provides.

Spring may seem like a good time for overseeding, but fall is better. Why?

• Cooler air reduces stress on seedlings.
• Warm soil accelerates germination.
• Weeds are less aggressive, giving grass seed a better chance to establish.

For contractors and property managers, this makes fall the prime window for lawn renovation projects.

Fall lawn renovation doesn’t have to be complicated. By combining overseeding with compost, landscapers can restore turf density, improve soil health, and set lawns up for long-term success. Compost provides the perfect seedbed, delivering nutrients, retaining moisture, and supporting germination naturally.

To get the best results from overseeding with compost, keep these tips in mind:

• Timing matters: Early fall is ideal, giving grass time to establish before winter.
• Choose the right seed: Match grass varieties to your region’s climate and site conditions.
• Don’t skip watering: Compost helps, but seed still needs consistent moisture.
• Consider bulk compost: For landscapers managing multiple properties, bulk delivery saves time on logistics while ensuring consistent material quality.

Whether you’re managing residential properties, commercial landscapes, or athletic fields, compost is the smart choice for fall overseeding. With bulk compost delivery from The Compost Company, you’ll have the consistency and volume you need to keep every lawn project thriving.

Choosing the right soil mix isn’t just about what you’re planting — it’s about scale, structure, and performance. When you’re managing a large project like a school garden program, municipal growing beds, or a commercial farm install, the soil you choose directly impacts growth success and maintenance requirements.

One of the most common comparisons we hear is raised bed soil vs garden blend. While both serve important purposes, they are designed for different conditions. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between the two, explain when to use each, and help you choose the right bulk mix for your next project.

Raised bed soil is a premium, lightweight soil blend designed for above-ground growing environments. These mixes are often fluffier, well-draining, and rich in organic matter, which allows roots to establish quickly in confined spaces.

Key characteristics of raised bed soil:

• Loamy, light texture to prevent compaction
• High organic content to improve nutrient availability
• Balanced water retention and draining
• Often includes compost, screened topsoil, pine fines, or peat moss

Raised bed soil is best for:

• Community, school, and home garden beds
• Urban agriculture containers
• Institutional or education installations
• Rooftop and elevated planters

Because raised beds aren’t in contact with native soil, the mix has to do all the work… structure, drainage, fertility, and aeration. That’s why it’s critical to invest in a high-quality raised bed mix when growing at scale.

Garden blend soil is typically used for in-ground planting where the goal is to improve native soil with added organic matter and structure. It’s often heavier than raised bed soil and may include more topsoil or sand, depending on the region.

Key characteristics of Garden Blend Soil:

• Denser composition for in-ground use
• Designed to mix with or amend existing soil
• Contains compost, screened topsoil, and sometimes sand or clay
• Lower per-yard cost than raised bed soil

Garden Blend Soil is best for:

• Ground-level gardens
• Soil amendment on large lots
• Planting trees and shrubs
• Lawn or turf installations

This blend is ideal when you’re improving poor or compacted soils or filling new garden zones that already connect with native soil ecosystems.

Intended Use

Texture

Drainage

Organic Matter

Root Environment

Cost per Cubic Yard

Above-ground containers

Light & fluffy

Excellent

High

Self-contained

Higher

In-ground planting

Denser, heavier

Moderate to good

Moderate

Mixed with native soil

Lower

If you’re building out dozens of raised beds or prepping multiple garden plots, these differences matter in both performance and budget planning.

When sourcing soil for large-scale use, quality and consistency become even more important. Buying soil in bags may work for a single homeowner, but if you’re filling 40 raised beds for a school district or delivering truckloads to a nonprofit farm, bulk soil delivery is the only practical choice.

Here’s what to look for in a bulk soil supplier:

• Consistent blend and particle size
• Available analysis or specs (e.g., pH, organic content)
• Delivery scheduling that aligns with your install team
• Options for both raised bed soil and garden blend
• Support choosing the right mix for your use case

At The Compost Company, we offer both mixes in bulk, screened for consistency, and available by the cubic yard. We also offer custom blends if your project has specific requirements.

Some large projects benefit from a hybrid mix tailored to your needs. For example, a school district might request a blend that includes more compost for nutrition, while a farm startup may need a soil with better drainage for root vegetables.

Custom soil blends can adjust:

• Compost ratio
• Sand or perlite for drainage
• pH balancing for specialty crops
• Nutrient mix based on application

If your project spans multiple zones or growing conditions, a custom soil blend could be more cost-effective than managing multiple product types on-site.

According to Penn State Extension, a soil mix that includes approximately 30% compost and 70% topsoil is ideal for raised bed applications. This blend offers strong structure, balanced drainage, and nutrient retention, which are all essential for healthy plant growth in self-contained environments like raised beds.

When you’re building at scale, small soil decisions have a big impact. Choosing between raised bed soil and garden blend starts with understanding how each mix performs in your project environment. Whether you’re installing dozens of raised beds, planting rows of fruit trees, or amending soil across a park system, the right soil mix helps your plants, and your project, thrive.

As temperatures drop and peak season winds down, many large-scale buyers shift their focus from maintaining landscapes to preparing for what comes next. For contractors, municipalities, and agricultural teams, fall is the perfect time to bulk order compost, not just to check off a seasonal task, but to set up spring success.

In this article, we’ll explain why fall is the ideal window to bring in compost by the truckload, how it fits into project timelines, and how it improves soil performance when it matters most.

1. Soil Takes Time to Rebuild

Fall offers the ideal conditions for soil improvement. With plant growth slowing down and temperatures cooling off, compost has time to integrate into the soil naturally over winter. This allows:

• Microbial activity to continue without extreme heat

• Organic matter to break down and bond with native soil

• Structure to improve before spring planting or turf installation

Whether you’re prepping athletic fields, restoring urban tree beds, or regrading a development site, applying compost in the fall gives your soil time to settle and strengthen.

2. Project Backlogs Are Easier to Manage

Spring is often a sprint. Crews are booked solid, supply chains tighten, and delivery calendars fill quickly. When you bulk order compost in fall, you benefit from more flexible delivery windows, reduced labor pressure, and less competition for materials. It’s also easier to access staging areas without the foot traffic and congestion of peak season. By planning compost delivery now, you set your spring installs up for success without unexpected delays, especially on projects that span multiple sites or phases.

3. Fall Weather Supports Better Application

Unlike the heat and unpredictability of summer, fall weather tends to be more stable. Cooler temperatures and moderate rainfall make it easier to apply compost efficiently across large areas.

Bulk compost can be:

• Spread over future planting zones

• Incorporated into soil with tillers or loaders

• Used to topdress turf or lawns

• Applied in erosion-prone zones for winter stabilization

Less evaporation also means compost stays moist longer, helping it bond to soil and reduce dust during install.

4. Ideal for Winterizing and Erosion Control

Compost isn’t just a soil builder, it’s also a surface stabilizer. For municipalities, developers, and infrastructure contractors, fall composting helps:

• Reduce erosion on disturbed soils

• Hold ground on slopes or grading zones

• Protect bare ground over winter

• Support compliance for stormwater and environmental codes

Even a 2-inch layer of compost can significantly improve water infiltration and reduce runoff on exposed sites.

5. Spring Projects Start Faster

When you bulk order compost in fall and apply it early, your spring projects start ahead of schedule. There’s no waiting on delivery, weather windows, or soil remediation.

Fall composting allows:

• Early planting without delays

• Stronger plant establishment

• Smoother inspections and punch lists

• Reduced pressure on your crew and supplier network

Clients love when you’re ahead of the game. Fall planning gives you the margin to deliver smoother installs and better results.

6. Volume Pricing and Availability

Fall is one of the best times to take advantage of volume pricing and greater product availability. As many large buyers scale back toward the end of the season, bulk compost becomes easier to source, and freight rates may be more competitive. This creates an ideal window for budget-conscious teams to secure materials without the time pressure of spring or summer demand.

At The Compost Company, we offer contractor pricing based on volume, flexible scheduling for late-season deliveries, and staging options for multi-site orders. Our compost blends are also tailored for fall and winter performance, helping you stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and prepare for early spring installs.

If you’re managing a school district, park system, or large development, ordering compost in bulk during the fall is both financially smart and operationally efficient. You’ll have better control over scheduling, logistics, and site prep, all without the chaos of peak season.

What The Experts Say

According to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, compost is a powerful soil amendment that improves soil structure, water infiltration, and moisture retention. The guide highlights that fall is an especially beneficial time to add compost, as cooler conditions help integrate organic material naturally, ideal when preparing for spring installations

Set Yourself Up For Success

The fall season is often overlooked when it comes to composting, but it’s one of the smartest times to invest in your soil and your schedule. By placing a bulk compost order in fall, you improve soil structure, support your spring plans, and reduce project stress.

When it comes to commercial landscaping and construction projects, compost isn’t just a soil amendment — it’s part of the foundation. Whether you’re preparing planting beds, improving turf performance, or restoring disturbed land, using the right volume of compost is essential for both soil health and cost efficiency.

But estimating the amount of compost you need can get tricky. Under-order, and you risk project delays. Over-order, and you’re wasting money and resources. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to calculate bulk compost needs for large-scale landscaping and construction jobs so you can order confidently.

Ordering in bulk means every miscalculation is magnified. Shorting yourself even a few yards can stall an install, while overordering eats into your project budget and space.

For contractors, landscape architects, and facilities teams, precision matters. Planning compost volume properly can:

• Prevent unexpected delivery delays
• Reduce material waste
• Improve jobsite efficiency
• Ensure uniform coverage across large zones
• Keep your team on schedule and under budget

Compost is typically sold by the cubic yard, not by weight or pallet. Understanding this measurement is the key to planning successful jobs at scale.

To calculate how much compost you need in cubic yards, use this formula:

Square footage × depth (in inches) ÷ 324 = cubic yards

1 cubic yard covers:

• 324 sq. ft. at 1 inch
• 162 sq. ft. at 2 inches
• 108 sq. ft. at 3 inches

If you’re covering a 25,000 sq. ft. installation with 2 inches of compost:

25,000 × 2 ÷ 324 = 154.32 cubic yards

You’ll want to round up to 155–160 cubic yards to account for settling and irregular site grading.

Different use cases call for different compost depths. Here are some standard guidelines:

Pro tip: For soil remediation or erosion control projects, expect to use closer to 3 inches, especially on sloped or depleted sites.

Bulk buyers need to account for variables that smaller jobs can ignore. Before finalizing your order, assess:

• Soil composition – Sandy or poor soils absorb more compost
• Grade or slope – Hillsides may need additional depth to prevent runoff
• Moisture content – Wet compost can compact more quickly
• Access limitations – Will you need to stage compost in different areas?
• Spillage or redistribution – Always factor in a buffer for cleanup or rework

For large jobs, it’s smart to add 5 to 10 percent extra to your total estimate to avoid unexpected shortfalls.

To simplify the math, The Compost Company offers an easy-to-use Bulk Compost Calculator that converts square footage and depth into cubic yards. It’s designed specifically for contractors, developers, and municipal teams working at scale.

Use our Bulk Compost Calculator

Once you know your volume, we’ll work with you to schedule delivery in phases, coordinate staging zones, or align with your install crew’s schedule.

Once you’ve calculated your volume, efficient delivery is the next step. Here’s what to consider:

• Dump zone access – Clear, stable ground that can handle truck weight
• Load capacity – Larger deliveries may be split into multiple loads
• Crew timing – Plan delivery to arrive when your team is ready to spread
• Weather window – Wet conditions can complicate unloading or spreading
• Staging protection – Use tarps or temporary cover if storing onsite for more than 24–48 hours

At The Compost Company, we deliver bulk compost across the southern US with flexible scheduling for large orders.

We regularly supply compost for projects like:

• Municipal parks and greenways
• DOT and infrastructure restoration
• Commercial and multifamily developments
• School campuses and athletic fields
• Large-scale agriculture or orchard operations
• Environmental reclamation and soil rebuilding

Our team understands the logistics and scope of large jobs, and we’re here to help your crew stay on schedule.

1.  Calculate each project zone individually
2.  Choose the right compost depth for your use case
3.  Use our calculator to estimate volume
4.  Round up to avoid running short
5.  Schedule delivery based on crew availability
6.  Partner with a supplier experienced in large-scale delivery