TOP TIPS for Great Mulch

Double Bark Mulch from JA Rutter Company

What Makes a Great Mulch Job? Depth, Quality, and Doing It Right

A fresh mulch job is one of the simplest ways to transform a landscape but doing it right is what separates a clean, professional look from something that fades fast or causes problems later. Here are some examples of top tips for great mulch.

At JA Rutter, we work with contractors and homeowners every day, and we see firsthand what works and what doesn’t. Let’s break down what actually makes a great mulch job.

The Right Depth Makes All the Difference

One of the most common mistakes in landscaping is improper mulch depth.

  • Ideal depth: 2–3 inches
  • Too shallow (<1 inch): Won’t block weeds or retain moisture
  • Too deep (4+ inches): Can suffocate roots and trap excess moisture

Mulch should be applied evenly across the bed not piled up against trees or plants (no “mulch volcanoes”). 

What Mulch Actually Does

Mulch isn’t just for looks it plays a critical role in soil health and plant performance.

Here’s what it does:

  • Moisture retention: Keeps water in the soil longer, reducing how often you need to water
  • Weed suppression: Blocks sunlight so weeds struggle to grow
  • Temperature control: Keeps soil cooler in summer and insulated in cooler temps
  • Soil improvement: As mulch breaks down, it adds organic matter back into the soil

Over time, mulch naturally decomposes and becomes part of the soil—this is a good thing. It improves structure, fertility, and overall plant health.

Why Bulk Mulch Beats Bagged Mulch Every Time

Not all mulch is created equal—and this is where quality really matters.

Store-bought bagged colored mulch often:

  • Sits in plastic for long periods
  • Contains inconsistent materials and sizes
  • Is scantily dyed with a lesser grade dye
  • Can dry out or develop odor issues

JA Rutter bulk colored mulch:

  • Is fresher and processed for consistency
  • Uses quality hardwood materials that are tested monthly for over a dozen items like arsenic, lead, mercury, PCBs, etc
  • Has better color retention and breakdown properties
  • Spreads more evenly and performs better over time

If you’re investing time and money into your landscape, the material you use matters. Bulk mulch simply delivers better results and is more cost effective.

Why You Should Skip Landscape Fabric Under Mulch

This is a big one and a common misconception.

Landscape fabric might seem like a good idea for weed control, but in mulch beds, it actually creates problems over time.

Here’s why:

  • Mulch breaks down naturally and turns into soil (compost)
  • That new soil layer builds on top of the fabric
  • Weeds then grow in that layer anyway
  • Roots can get tangled in the fabric, making removal a nightmare
  • Water and nutrients have a harder time reaching the soil below

In short: fabric doesn’t stop weeds long-term it just delays them and makes future maintenance harder.

A properly installed mulch bed at the correct depth will do a better job naturally, without creating headaches later.

The Bottom Line

A great mulch job comes down to a few key principles:

  • Apply 2–3 inches evenly
  • Use high-quality bulk mulch
  • Let mulch break down naturally to improve your soil
  • Skip the landscape fabric it causes more harm than good

At JA Rutter, we make premium hardwood mulch designed to perform whether you’re tackling a backyard refresh or a large commercial install.

Stop in, call ahead, or ask about bulk delivery and get your mulch job done right the first time.

Put Down the Rake This Spring

Spring Cleanup in Western PA: A Smarter (and Lazier) Approach

Why waiting a few extra weeks can fill your yard with fireflies, native bees, and butterflies — and give you a great excuse to relax a little longer.

Every March, the urge hits like a Pittsburgh pothole. The snow melts, one suspiciously warm afternoon shows up, and suddenly you’re outside in your mud boots eyeing all those dead stems and matted leaves like they personally offended you.

Rake in hand, ambition high, you’re ready to clean everything up.

Here’s the plot twist: your yard isn’t as dormant as it looks.

Tucked inside hollow stems, buried under leaf litter, and nestled just below the soil surface, hundreds of beneficial insects are still waiting out winter. These include pollinators, pest controllers, and the fireflies you’ll enjoy on summer evenings.

A too-early spring cleanup can wipe them out before they ever emerge.

The good news? A better approach is actually easier — and a little lazier.

Why You Should Delay Spring Yard Cleanup

Western Pennsylvania yards are full of life, even in early spring. Cleaning too early disrupts important insect life cycles and reduces pollinators later in the season.

Waiting just a few extra weeks helps support:

  • Pollinators like native bees
  • Natural pest control insects
  • Fireflies and butterflies

Beneficial Insects Hiding in Your Yard

Native Bees in Pennsylvania

Unlike honeybees, most of Pennsylvania’s 400+ native bee species are solitary. Many overwinter in leaf litter or just below the soil surface.

Bumblebee queens, for example, emerge in early spring and need time to warm up before starting a colony. Disturbing their habitat too early can be harmful.

Firefly Larvae in Western PA

Fireflies spend the winter as larvae in soil and leaf litter — exactly where spring cleanup usually happens.

If disturbed too soon, they may never emerge to light up your yard in June.

Early Spring Butterflie

Species like the eastern comma and mourning cloak overwinter as adults in:

  • Bark crevices
  • Log piles
  • Leaf litter

They are often the first butterflies seen in Western PA and rely on this shelter to survive.

The One Rule for Spring Cleanup Timing

Wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F before cutting back plants or removing leaf litter.

In Western Pennsylvania, this usually means:

  • Late April to early May (not March)

This temperature signals that most insects have emerged and can relocate safely.

Cleaning earlier risks destroying cocoons and overwintering habitats.

Wildlife-Friendly Spring Cleanup Tips

Leave Plant Stems Standing

Many native plants like:

  • Goldenrod
  • Joe-Pye weed
  • Coneflower

…host bee larvae inside their stems.

When you cut them:

  • Trim to 12–18 inches
  • Leave clippings on the ground for a few weeks

Use Leaf Litter as Natural Mulch

Leaf litter is not yard waste — it’s essential habitat.

Benefits include:

  • Insulating plant roots
  • Feeding soil organisms
  • Protecting insects like beetles and bees

Rake lawns if needed, but leave garden beds alone.

Create a Backyard Brush Pile

A simple pile of sticks and stems provides habitat for:

  • Butterflies
  • Toads
  • Beneficial insects

Call it a “wildlife brush pile” if you want it to sound intentional.

Clean Up in Sections

Instead of clearing everything at once:

  • Work in stages over several weeks
  • Leave undisturbed areas as safe zones

This gives insects time to move naturally.

What You Can Do Early in Spring

You don’t have to wait on everything. These tasks are safe to start early:

  • Pruning shrubs and trees (roses, fruit trees, butterfly bush)
  • Removing invasive plants like garlic mustard
  • Edging garden beds
  • Repairing fences and hardscaping
  • Preparing vegetable beds that were already clear

A Better Approach to Spring Yard Care

You don’t need to abandon a tidy yard — just adjust your timing.

By waiting a few weeks and leaving natural materials in place, you’ll support:

  • Healthier pollinator populations
  • More fireflies in summer
  • A stronger, more balanced ecosystem

And honestly, after a Western PA winter, everything — including you — deserves a little extra time.

Final Thought: Let Nature Do the Work

A small delay in spring cleanup leads to a big payoff all season long.

More bees, More butterflies, More fireflies.

Less work for you.

Not a bad trade.

JA Rutter’s Rain Garden: Part 3, Plant Choices

Sweet Joey PyeWeed at JA Rutter Pollinator Garden

We’re in the home stretch of the development of our native plant pollinator rain garden. In the third installment of our series, Jayme will discuss the plants she chose and why she chose them. 

In order to set my garden up for success, I try to be thoughtful about the plants I choose. I try to pick the right plant for the right place. In this case, it’s an area that gets mostly sun and there’s lots of moisture in the area. We need to use plants that thrive in those conditions. In addition, we have tons of deer pressure on the property so we need to choose plants that are known to be deer resistant then hope that the deer read the manual!

I mentioned above the concept of “right plant, right place”. This fundamental concept is choosing plant species that are adapted to the location and situation in which they are placed. Plants that are well suited to their site will establish quickly, will have a healthy root system and be healthier plants. For lazy gardeners like me, they will perform well with limited additional input and work. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you’re deciding on plants:

  1. What is the climate in the area? Is it hot or cold, humid or dry? Plants need to be able to tolerate the local climate.
  2. What is the soil type? Is it sandy, loamy, or clayey? Different plants thrive in different soil types.
  3. How much sun does the area get? Is it full sun, partial sun, or full shade? Plants need varying amounts of sunlight to grow properly.
  4. What is the moisture level in the area? Is it wet, moist, or dry? Different plants have different moisture requirements.
  5. What is the size of the area? Is it a small space or a large landscape? Plants should be chosen based on the available space.
  6. What is the purpose of the plant? Is it for aesthetics, privacy, or food production? Different plants serve different purposes.
  7. What is the growth rate of the plant? Does it grow slowly or quickly? This is important to consider when planning for long-term growth and maintenance.
  8. What is the maintenance level required? Will the plant require regular pruning, fertilizing, or watering? It is important to choose plants that fit within the available time and resources for maintenance.

By asking these questions, you can select plants that are best suited for the specific conditions of your garden or landscape, and ensure they will thrive and provide the desired benefits.

I purchased these plants at an online native resource called Prairie Nursery (www.prairienursery.com). They arrived in great condition and were carefully packed. I will create a post in the future that lists other sources for native plants. 

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) https://www.prairienursery.com/buttonbush-cephalanthus-occidentalis.html

I’ve admired this unique plant for a while and am so excited to find the right spot for it. I will admit, I tried the dwarf variety in another garden last year and it did not fare well because I didn’t follow my own advice about right plant, right place. The area just didn’t get enough moisture and I tried planting it in July, when moisture levels are at their lowest. Live & learn!

Newly Planted Buttonbush

Buttonbush is a native shrub with golf ball sized flower clusters that resemble pin cushions. The fragrant, nectar-loaded clusters are attractive to pollinators like bees, flies, moths, butterflies and even hummingbirds. Waterfowl eat the seeds and Wood ducks like to use the plant structure for protection of brooding nests. We get lots of Mallards on site and the occasional Wood duck so fingers crossed they like it! Buttonbush is adaptable to a wide range of soils but it is not suitable for dry sites. 

When planting for pollinators, not only is it important to provide nectar sources, but it is also important to provide host plants. Buttonbush is a host plant for several silkmoths, the Beautiful Wood-Nymph, and other Lepidoptera.

This shrub can grow up to 6-15 feet tall with a spread of 4-8 feet so be sure to place it in a spot where it has room to grow.

Sweet Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum) https://www.prairienursery.com/sweet-joe-pye-weed-eupatorium-purpureum.html

Sweet Joe thrives in semi-shade as well as in full sun. It grows 3-6 feet tall and has beautiful pinkish-purple vanilla-scented blooms that attract a wide variety of pollinators like skippers, Swallowtails and Monarchs. It will also attract friends like bumblebees and bee flies. Besides pollinators, you may find tree hoppers, leaf beetles and gnats which are food sources for other insects and birds. Some smaller birds also eat the seeds of Joe Pye Weed. Insects may overwinter in the stalks of this plant so it’s a great excuse to minimize your fall cleanup work! This hardy perennial can tolerate constantly moist soil with occasional flooding so I feel confident it will love the spot I chose. 

Sweet Joe Pye Weed

Swamp Milkweed or Red Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) https://www.prairienursery.com/red-milkweed-asclepias-incarnata.html

This is another exceptional plant for pollinators and is easily grown in moist to wet soil, even thriving in average soil to mucky clay soil. Hawk moths, Swallowtails, Fritillaries, Monarchs, skippers, bumble bees and even hummingbirds will spend time visiting the fragrant blooms. It is also a host plant for the Monarch butterfly, Queen butterfly, Dogbane Tiger moth and the Milkweed Tussock moth. This plant is similar in height to Sweet Joe Pye Weed so I think they’ll complement each other well. 

Swamp Milk Weed

While these 3 foundation plants get established, I will supplement the empty space in between with annual zinnias. They are native to North America, easy to grow from seed, are favorites of pollinators, bloom all summer long and are just plain beautiful with their wide variety of bright colors. They also make a great cut flower if you enjoy fresh flowers in the house like I do!

Ja Rutter’s Rain Garden: Time for Soil!

Time to mix the soil for the Pollinator Rain Garden at JA Rutter

This afternoon, Jayme had the production team mix up a special soil mix for the native pollinator rain garden. The mix contains 1 cubic yard of our standard screened topsoil which is screened through a ¾” screen. Our standard topsoil is already amended with our O38 organic soil amendment but Jayme wanted even more so she asked them to add a full cubic yard of the O38 to the mix. Finally, they added 75 cubic feet of PittMoss. 

A front loader at JA Rutter Filling in the Pollinator Garden

Why is our O38 so great as a soil amendment?

  • Contains lots of organic matter, which our typical clay-cased PA soils are lacking
    • The organic matter is a food source for beneficial microorganisms that live in the soil.
  • Assists with water retention
  • Improves nutrient exchange between the soil and the plant

Soil conditioners are soil amendments that improve the soil structure by increasing aeration, water holding capacity, and nutrients. They loosen up compacted, hard pan and clay soils and release locked up nutrients. Soil conditioners can also raise or lower pH levels depending on what they are made of.

Organic matter causes soil to clump and form soil aggregates, which improves soil structure. With better soil structure, permeability (infiltration of water through the soil) improves, in turn improving the soil’s ability to take up and hold water.

038/PittMoss mixture

Why is PittMoss a great component to this mix?

  • PittMoss is made from organic, recycled paper that is locally sourced. This paper is engineered to provide the perfect environment for root development. 
  • PittMoss has the best possible balance of aeration and water absorption with a vast carbon source for mycorrhizae. 
  • The air space created, water retention and available carbon makes for exceptional root development and the best environment for those roots to obtain water and nutrients while the microbes thrive to further support the plants. 
  • PittMoss grows healthier plants & reduces root shock of transplanted plants. 
  • The high porosity of PittMoss saves water and improves drainage. The cellulosic fibers of PittMoss allow for applied water to be evenly distributed throughout the media. 
  • PittMoss requires 2/3 less water than peat-based blends. 
Plant layout