How to Refresh Your Yard This Spring Using Landscaping Soils and Mulch

Spring is the perfect time to get outside and give your yard a fresh new look. After a long winter, your lawn, garden beds, and outdoor spaces can look tired, dry, or patchy. The good news? A little effort and the right materials can make a big difference. Whether you’re looking to plant new flowers, start a vegetable garden, or just make things look cleaner and more welcoming, your first step should be improving the foundation: the soil and mulch.

At Kilgore Landscape Center, we help homeowners, DIYers, and contractors get their yards ready every spring with the best local materials. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use landscaping soils, mulch landscaping products, and even landscaping sand to refresh your yard — and show you a few bonus materials that can take your project to the next level.

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Start with a Clean Slate

Before you bring in anything new, you’ll want to clear out what’s old. This includes:

• Raking up dead leaves and twigs
  

• Pulling out weeds from garden beds and lawn edges
  

• Trimming back any overgrown plants or shrubs
  

• Sweeping pathways and patios

You can also take this time to make note of what needs to be fixed. Are there bare spots in your grass? Are your garden beds too shallow or sunken in? Is your mulch faded or patchy? These notes will help you plan what you need and how much.

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Why Landscaping Soils Matter

The base of any good garden is the soil. If your flowers or veggies didn’t grow well last year, poor soil could be the reason. Healthy soil gives plants the nutrients, drainage, and structure they need to thrive. That’s where landscaping soils come in.

“Incorporating 1-2 inches of organic matter into the soil annually will gradually - and sustainably - improve soil quality and reduce the risk for excessive salinity and nutrient levels.” according to Utah State University.

At our Salt Lake Landscape Center, we offer blended landscaping soils that are made for Utah’s climate and yard conditions. These mixes are different from what you’ll find in a bag at a big-box store. Ours are sold in bulk, so you get more for your money, and they’re created to be used in raised beds, garden beds, and new lawn areas.

Common Soil Options to Consider:

• Planter’s Blend: Great for vegetable gardens and flower beds
  

• Topsoil Mix: Perfect for topping off areas before planting grass
  

• Compost-Soil Blend: Ideal for gardens that need a boost of nutrients

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Soil Options at Kilgore Landscape Center:

Nutri-Mulch (Turkey Compost Blend)

This rich, composted mix is made with turkey manure, forest products, and organics. Nutri-Mulch is great for improving poor or clay-heavy soils before planting. Spread 1–3 inches deep and till into the top 6–9 inches of soil. It improves structure, lowers salt levels, and adds a dark, earthy color.

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Premium Organic Compost / Top Dress (OMRI Certified)

Certified for organic use, this compost is made from forest materials and black peat moss. It’s perfect for top dressing or mixing into planting beds to boost soil microbes and fertility. Use 1–2 inches as a surface layer, or till 3–4 inches deep. Each yard weighs about 900 lbs.

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Soil Pep Conditioner

Made from shredded bark like Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine, Soil Pep is one of our landscaping soils that adds nutrients and improves airflow in your soil. It also helps reduce erosion, holds moisture, and prevents weed growth. You can use it as a soil amendment or as a natural-looking mulch. Approximate weight: 700 lbs per yard.

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Topsoil Blend

This all-purpose mix is ready to plant in and works well for raised beds, gardens, and planters. It includes sandy loam topsoil, compost, fine mulch, and conditioners. It’s ideal for replacing tired soil or raising planting areas. Each yard weighs around 1,500 lbs.

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Topsoil Mountain Blend

Our richest blend, this option includes peat, composted forest humus, sandy loam, and organic compost. It’s great for flower beds, top dressing, or filling sunken areas in your yard. This soil is ready to plant right away. Each cubic yard weighs about 1,500 lbs.

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Screened Sandy Loam Topsoil

Available at both our West Jordan and Bluffdale locations, this medium-brown sandy loam is great for new lawns, garden beds, and filling in low spots. You can blend it with compost or mulch landscaping products to improve texture. Delivery minimum is 2 tons.

If you're unsure which type is right for your yard, our team can help you match your project with the right soil. Whether you’re replanting a garden or just filling in spots where the ground has settled, upgrading your landscaping soils makes a big difference in how your plants grow this spring and summer.

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How to Use Landscaping Soils in Your Yard

Once you’ve chosen the right soil, here’s how to apply it:

1. Loosen existing soil: Break up the top few inches of the old soil with a shovel or rake.
   

2. Add new soil: Spread the landscaping soil evenly across your garden or planting area. Aim for 2 to 4 inches deep.
   

3. Mix lightly if needed: For some gardens, lightly mixing the new and old soil can help create better root zones.
   

4. Water it in: After laying down new soil, give it a good watering to help settle it and prevent dry patches.
   

Tip: Don’t skip this step. Even if your yard looks okay, refreshing your soil in spring gives your plants a much better start for the season.

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Add Fresh Mulch for Moisture and Style

Once your soil is in place, mulch is your next step. Mulch landscaping products not only help your yard look clean and finished, but it also serves a few key functions:

• Keeps moisture in the soil

• Stops weeds from growing
  

• Helps protect plant roots from heat and cold

• Adds rich color and contrast to garden beds
  

At Kilgore, we carry bulk mulch in different colors and textures — from fine shredded mulch to larger bark nuggets. Popular choices include:

• Black Shredded Mulch – sleek and modern look
  

• Brown Shredded Mulch – natural and earthy tone

How to Apply Mulch the Right Way:

1. Weed the area first so you're not covering up problems
   

2. Spread mulch 2–3 inches deep — too little won’t block weeds, too much can block water
   

3. Keep mulch a few inches away from stems or tree trunks to avoid rot
   

Once applied, mulch will keep your yard looking neat and your plants happy for months to come.

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Fix Patchy or Uneven Areas with Landscaping Sand

Spring is a great time to fix uneven parts of your lawn or help level out areas for new pathways or play zones. One material that often gets overlooked is landscaping sand.

This type of sand can help:

• Improve drainage in flower beds or under pavers
  

• Level out lawn areas before seeding
  

• Create a base layer for patios or garden paths
  

At Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center, we offer bulk sand options that are clean, screened, and ready to go. Whether you're laying flagstone or creating a new seating area, sand helps create a stable base that won’t shift or sink over time.

For lawn repairs, a light layer of sand can be mixed with soil to help fill in low spots. Just make sure not to overdo it — too much sand can compact and keep water from reaching plant roots.

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Add Decorative Touches with Landscaping Rock

Once the basics are in place, you can start adding materials that boost curb appeal and reduce maintenance — like decorative landscaping rock.

These rocks come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. Some are perfect for garden borders, while others are great for xeriscaping or pathways. Popular options include:

• Granite 1 1/2 " Crush Rock – natural tones that look clean year-round

• Rainbow Beach Cobble 1 1/2" – multi colored landscaping rocks that add interest

• Mexican Beach Cobble 2″ – 3″ – smooth, round, and modern

• Santa Fe Cobble 4″ (2″ – 4″) – bigger, bolder rocks for dry riverbeds or edging

Unlike mulch, decorative landscaping rock doesn’t break down over time. It’s a great long-term choice for areas where you want low maintenance and a polished look.

If you’re trying to reduce water use this year or just want less weeding and upkeep, swapping some mulch or grass areas with rock is a smart move. It also looks great around trees, near patios, or in front yard designs.

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Where to Get Everything You Need

Whether you need landscaping soils, mulch landscaping products, rock, or sand, your one-stop source is Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center at Asphalt Materials. We’re located in West Jordan and serve the entire Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Front.

Here's why customers choose us year after year:

• We carry the right materials for Utah yards
  
  Our products are sold in bulk so you get more for your money
  

• You can pick up or schedule delivery
  
  Our team knows what works best for your specific yard goals
  

• We offer U-Cart concrete rentals for DIY patios and edging projects
  

No matter the size of your project — whether it’s a quick refresh or a full yard makeover — we’re here to help you get it done.

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Spring Yard Refresh Checklist

Here’s a simple list to help guide your spring project:

✔ Rake up and remove old leaves and weeds
✔ Trim back plants and clear out beds
✔ Add fresh landscaping soils to gardens and planting zones
✔ Apply mulch landscaping products to lock in moisture and stop weeds
✔ Use landscaping sand to fix low spots or prep for hardscaping
✔ Add decorative landscaping rock for curb appeal and function
✔ Visit Salt Lake Landscape Center to get the right materials in bulk

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Final Tips Before You Get Started

• Measure first: Knowing how many square feet you’re working with helps you buy the right amount of soil, mulch, or rock.
  
  

• Bring a photo: If you’re unsure what materials to get, bring a photo of your yard when you visit our location. We’ll help you figure it out.
  
  

• Don’t wait too long: Spring is the best time to get materials before the summer heat hits and product demand goes up.
  

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Spring is one of the easiest times to give your yard a clean, fresh start — and it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With the right base materials like soil and mulch, plus a few smart upgrades using sand and rock, your yard will be ready for outdoor living all season long.

Come see us at Kilgore Landscape Center in West Jordan, or call us at (801) 561-4231. Let’s get your yard growing again this spring.