Dormant Season Mulch: Timing, Depth, and Color That Ages Well

Why Winter Mulch Matters More Than You Think

When temperatures drop and lawns go dormant, most people think landscape season is “over.”
 Wrong! Winter is when your mulch works hardest — protecting roots, retaining moisture, and keeping weeds from gaining a foothold before spring.

But not all mulch jobs are created equal. Too deep, too soon, or the wrong product can do more harm than good. Here’s how to get it right this dormant season.

Timing Is Everything

In South Louisiana, the best time to refresh mulch is late November through January — once leaf drop has finished but before heavy spring rains begin.

Why it matters:

• Early application (October) traps falling leaves and causes buildup.

• Late application (February) misses the insulation window and lets weeds germinate.

• Late fall ensures clean beds and steady soil temps through winter.

Best window: Thanksgiving to mid-January
Pro tip: Schedule after final leaf cleanup to avoid double work.

Depth Makes or Breaks It

More mulch doesn’t mean more protection — it means more problems.
Too thick and roots suffocate; too thin and weeds win.

The sweet spot:

• 2 to 3 inches across the bed surface

• Keep 2–3 inches clear around trunks to prevent rot

• Never “volcano” mulch around trees (that causes girdling and fungus)

For large commercial beds, Cultivate uses calibrated blowers or manual gauges to maintain even coverage. It looks cleaner and lasts longer.

Choose Color That Ages Gracefully

We all love that “fresh dark” look right after mulch is laid — but not all colors hold up in Louisiana’s sun and rain.

Here’s what we recommend (and why):

• Natural Brown Hardwood

  Pros: Ages evenly, low fade.

  Best Use: HOA entry beds, large shade areas.

• Dark Chocolate Pine Bark

  Pros: Rich tone, decomposes slowly.

  Best Use: Residential & ornamental beds.

• Dyed Black

  Pros: High contrast, fades faster

  Best Use: Short-term curb appeal (annual beds)

• Red Dyed

  Pros: Cheap filler, heavy fade

  Best Use: Avoid for premium sites

Mulch = Weed Prevention (If Done Right)

Mulch is more than aesthetics — it’s your first line of defense against winter weeds like henbit, chickweed, and oxalis.

For best results:

• Apply mulch after pre-emergent herbicide (late fall)

• Maintain consistent depth to block sunlight

• Avoid disturbing mulch during winter pruning

Less light reaching the soil = fewer weeds come spring. That’s real value.

The ROI of Fresh Mulch

Aside from looking sharp, mulch keeps soil temperature stable and moisture locked in — meaning healthier roots and fewer irrigation cycles.

For HOAs and property managers, that translates to:

• Less plant loss during cold snaps

• Lower spring cleanup costs

• Better first impressions year-round

Smart math: An affordable mulch refresh now can prevent expensive plant replacements later.

Cultivate’s Winter Mulch Standard

At Cultivate, we don’t “dump and dash.” Every mulch service includes:

• Bed edging and cleanup before install

• Correct depth and even coverage

• Color-matched mulch selection based on exposure and traffic

• Final sweep and haul-off to leave walkways clean

We treat mulch like part of your soil health plan — not a decoration.

Final thoughts:

Mulch quietly protects your landscape all winter. Done wrong, it causes rot and weeds.
Done right — it saves you money, protects your investment, and keeps your property looking sharp until spring.

If you’re due for a mulch refresh, now’s the time to get on our schedule before crews book out for the new year.

Ready to Refresh Your Beds?

Let’s get your property winter-ready.
 Request a mulch quote →