mulch helps keep your landscape healthy and sustainable and here are some tips on applying mulch appropriately you can buy mulch by the bag or in bulk bulk mulch is sold by the cubic yard and is typically delivered by the truckload calculate the amount of mulch you need based on the area of your landscape beds and depth of coverage to prepare the area to be mulched first remove existing weeds then water the ground before mulching mulch helps the damp soil retain moisture but if you apply mulch to dry soil it can actually prevent water from soaking into the ground next apply three to four inches of mulch for a layer that will settle to two to three inches a thick layer of mulch blocks light and prevents weeds from growing but if you apply too much it will trap moisture within the layers and encourage disease remember to add mulch as needed throughout the year to keep your landscape healthy and sustainable for more information on how to plant and grow a successful garden learn more tips from the university of florida experts