What it is
Texas-cut aromatic cedar mulch by the cubic yard. Coarser than our hardwood mulch, lighter in color, and unmistakable when you open the bag or take delivery — it smells like a cedar sauna for the first week.
What it is for
All the same jobs as hardwood mulch — front-yard beds, foundation plantings, tree rings, vegetable gardens. Cedar is a step up for these reasons:
- Breaks down slower. Hardwood needs a refresh every 12 months; cedar holds for 18. You mulch less often.
- Repels some insects. The natural oils in cedar discourage roaches, fleas, and some other bugs. (Not termites — that's a myth either way. Termites don't live in dry surface mulch.)
- Smells great. For the first 5-10 days, the bed smells like a cedar closet. People who love it really love it.
- Lighter color. Pales out faster than hardwood (lights up to a silver-tan in 6 months) — works in modern/contemporary plantings where dark mulch reads heavy.
How much do I need
Same coverage as hardwood — about 100 sq ft per cubic yard at 3" depth:
| Bed size | Yards needed |
|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 1 |
| 200 sq ft | 2 |
| 500 sq ft | 5 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 10 |
The mulch-bed wizard computes mulch yards plus fabric plus edging in one bundle.
When to pick cedar over hardwood
| Pick cedar when | Pick hardwood when |
|---|---|
| You want longer between refreshes | You want cheapest per yard |
| Bed is in a pet-frequented area (cedar oils discourage some pests) | Bed is around vegetables (faster soil-build with hardwood) |
| You like the lighter, faded look that cedar develops | You want a darker, traditional Texas-yard look |
| Allergic to oak debris in hardwood mixes | No specific allergy concerns |
Cedar trade-offs
- Slightly more expensive per yard than hardwood.
- Lighter color reads as "faded" to some homeowners by year two — that's the cedar weathering, not a quality issue.
- Smell is strong for the first 1-2 weeks — fades to subtle by week 3. Park the dump pile away from open windows the day of delivery.
Texas/DFW specific
In our climate, cedar performs better than hardwood for:
- Foundation strips around AC units — the discouragement of insects matters near indoor air intakes.
- Dog runs and play areas — the natural oils help with fleas.
- Beds in deep shade under live oaks — cedar resists fungal mat formation better than hardwood in low-air-flow areas.
Buying tips
- Order Wednesday for weekend delivery — cedar is cut and screened on Tuesdays.
- Buy 1 extra yard for the corners you'll forget. A yard sits in the driveway for a day, you find a spot for it.
- For decorative paths with foot traffic, lay cedar 4 inches deep — walking compacts it, 3 inches becomes 2 inches fast.
Contractor notes
Volume pricing at 5+ yards. Tandem-load (16 yd³) or single-axle (10 yd³). Standing PO numbers accepted at the scale.