When you search landscaping supplies Lexington KY, you’re usually on a mission: refresh tired beds, tame weeds before they explode, correct a drainage problem, or build curb appeal that actually lasts. The secret isn’t one miracle product—it’s putting the right materials in the right places and installing them the right way. This guide distills what Central Kentucky homeowners ask us most at Redmond’s Garden Center: how to choose soil and amendments that improve root health, which mulch works best (and how much to buy), when to use rock vs. wood mulch, how to select plants for our four-season climate, and the tools that turn weekend projects into wins. Bring your measurements and photos—we’ll help you leave with a clear plan and the exact quantities you need.

Start with a Simple Site Plan

Measure, Map, and Prioritize

Grab a tape measure, a notepad, and your phone. Sketch the front and back yards and note house walls, sidewalks, downspouts, hose bibs, and any slopes. Mark zones by function—entry beds, foundation plantings, privacy edges, play areas, and utility strips. Estimating square footage (length × width) for each zone will tell you how many bags or bulk yards of soil, mulch, and stone to buy. Prioritize by visibility and effort: front entry and street-facing beds first, then high-use backyard spaces, then side yards.

Diagnose Problems Before Buying Pretty Things

Ask three questions:

  1. Where does water go after a storm? If it sits, you’ll need grading, a shallow swale, or a dry creek with river rock.
  2. Where is the sun harshest? West exposures may need heat-tolerant plants and well-timed irrigation.
  3. What’s the soil like? Most Lexington clay needs organic matter for better drainage and root growth. Fixing these basics makes everything else easier.

Soil, Compost & Amendments — Build a Living Foundation

Topsoil vs. Garden Soil

  • Topsoil is the structural layer—good for leveling low spots and building up new beds.
  • Garden/Planting Soil adds organic matter for vegetables, perennials, and shrubs. Think of it as ready-to-grow media. Many projects use a blend: topsoil for bulk, garden soil for rooting zones.

Compost & Conditioners

  • Compost boosts microbial life, improves texture, and increases water-holding capacity. Work 2–3 inches into the top 6–8 inches of soil when renovating beds.
  • Pine fines or leaf mold loosen heavy clay, making Lexington soils more crumbly and root-friendly.
  • pH adjusters: Kentucky soils often run neutral to slightly acidic; a quick soil test guides lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH), ensuring nutrients are actually available to plants.

Practical Mixing Recipe

For a 100 sq ft bed: spread 6–8 bags (1–1.5 cu ft each) of compost plus 6–8 bags of planting soil, cultivate to 6–8 inches, rake level, water deeply, then mulch after planting. This simple formula transforms stubborn clay into a rootable, resilient bed.

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Mulch — The Easiest Upgrade with the Biggest Payoff

Why Mulch Works

Mulch moderates soil temperature, reduces evaporation, suppresses weeds, and delivers that crisp, finished look. It also protects soil life, which repays you with stronger, more drought-tolerant plants.

Choose the Right Mulch

  • Hardwood/Bark Mulch: Classic look for ornamental beds; breaks down steadily to feed soil.
  • Cedar/Cypress: Naturally rot- and insect-resistant; great around structures, slower to decompose.
  • Pine Straw: Excellent on slopes and around azaleas, blueberries, and other acid-lovers; airy and easy to spread.
  • Compost or Leaf Mulch: Adds nutrients quickly; perfect in veggie beds and perennial borders.

Depth guide: Aim for 2–3 inches. Pull mulch a few inches back from trunks and stems to avoid rot and pests.

How Much to Buy

  • Bulk: 1 cubic yard covers ~100 sq ft at 3″ depth.
  • Bags: One 2 cu ft bag covers ~8 sq ft at 3″.
    Bring your bed measurements and we’ll convert square footage to bulk yards or bag counts on the spot.

Stone, Rock & Gravel — Structure, Drainage, and Style

Where Stone Shines

  • Downspouts & Low Spots: River rock (1–3″) for splash zones and dry creek beds that quietly move water.
  • Paths & Seating Areas: Pea gravel for casual, comfortable footing—use edging to keep it tidy.
  • Base Layers: Crushed limestone under pavers and stepping stones prevents settling and weeds.
  • Statement Pieces: Boulders anchor slopes, frame beds, and create natural-looking composition points.

Fabric or No Fabric?

Use landscape fabric under long-term rock installations and in no-plant zones. Skip it under wood mulch and in plant-heavy beds so roots can explore and organic matter can blend into the soil.

Edging, Fabric & Weed Control — Keep Lines Clean

Edging Options

  • Steel/Aluminum: Sleek, durable, and perfect for curves and modern designs.
  • Paver/Brick: Classic, substantial, and great for formal gardens.
  • Composite/Plastic: Budget-friendly and flexible for DIY curves.

Weed Barriers & Pre-Emergents

  • Fabric under rock; not recommended in active planting beds with wood mulch.
  • Pre-emergent herbicides (applied early spring and fall) stop many weed seeds from sprouting. Always follow labels and keep away from new turf seed.

Plants That Love Lexington’s Climate

Shrubs & Trees that Earn Their Keep

  • Evergreens: Boxwood, inkberry holly, and arborvitae give all-season structure.
  • Flowering Shrubs: Hydrangea, spirea, and viburnum layer in spring-to-fall color and pollinator support.
  • Shade Trees: Red maple, oak, tulip poplar, and serviceberry cool your yard and add habitat.

Perennials & Grasses with Staying Power

  • Perennials: Coneflower, black-eyed Susan, catmint, daylily, and salvia perform reliably with mulch and deep watering.
  • Ornamental Grasses: Switchgrass, little bluestem, and fountain grass add movement, winter silhouettes, and drought tolerance.

Native & Pollinator-Friendly Picks

Milkweed, bee balm, coreopsis, and asters keep beneficial insects thriving. Natives typically require less fuss once established and handle Kentucky’s temperature swings with grace.

Pro tip: Bring sun/shade photos at different times of day. Light patterns change with seasons and trees leafing out—choosing for the actual light saves money and frustration.

Irrigation, Hoses & Watering Made Easy

Water the Way Roots Want

  • Deep & Infrequent: Target 1–1.5 inches per week in summer. Watering deeply but less often encourages deep roots.
  • Drip & Soaker Hoses: Put water at the root zone, reduce evaporation, and cut disease risk from wet foliage.
  • Mulch + Drip: The most water-wise combo for Central KY heat.

Rain Barrels & Timers

Rain barrels capture free irrigation water; battery or smart timers automate consistency. If you travel, a simple timer is the difference between a thriving bed and a rescue mission.

Tools That Make Projects Faster (and Safer)

Essentials We Recommend

  • Hand Tools: Hori-hori knife (cuts, weeds, measures), bypass pruners, sturdy trowel.
  • Long-Handled: Spade for edging, garden fork for loosening clay, steel rake for grading, leaf rake for cleanup.
  • Moving & Lifting: A stable wheelbarrow and a garden cart protect your back and speed mulch jobs.
  • Protection: Breathable gloves, eye protection, and knee pads make longer tasks comfortable—and safer.

Maintenance Saves Money

Sharpen blades, oil tools, and store them dry. A tuned mower and sharp pruners reduce plant stress and give cleaner results.

Seasonal Playbook for Lexington, KY

Spring (March–May)

Clean beds, edge crisp lines, and add 2–3 inches of mulch after planting. Work compost into vegetable and perennial beds. Apply pre-emergent where appropriate and set up drip lines before summer heat arrives.

Summer (June–August)

Water deeply, early morning. Top up mulch where thin to conserve moisture. Deadhead perennials like coneflower and salvia to extend bloom. Watch for hot spots—new plantings may need temporary shade cloth during heatwaves.

Fall (September–November)

Prime time for trees and shrubs—soil is warm, air is cool, and roots establish fast. Overseed or start cool-season turf. Plant spring-blooming bulbs and refresh beds with leaf mold or compost. Mulch before first hard freeze to buffer winter swings.

Winter (December–February)

Prune select shrubs and trees (timing depends on species). Plan hardscape projects, order stone and base materials, and service tools. On thaw days, check drainage paths and clean out downspout rock basins.

Five Common Mistakes (And Easy Fixes)

  1. Mulch Volcanoes around trunks invite rot and pests. Create a donut—mulch out, not up.
  2. Fabric Under Wood Mulch suffocates soil life and tangles roots. Save fabric for rock.
  3. Planting Too Deep buries the root flare; set it at or slightly above grade.
  4. Random Rock Placement looks scattered. Bury a third of each boulder and cluster in odd numbers for a natural look.
  5. Ignoring Drainage means replanting every year. Guide water with a swale, French drain, or dry creek before adding plants.

FAQs — Landscaping Supplies Lexington KY

How much mulch do I really need?
 Roughly 1 cubic yard per 100 sq ft at 3 inches. Uneven beds or slopes may need a bit more. We’ll help you dial it in.

Is compost better than fertilizer?
 They do different jobs. Compost improves structure and biology; fertilizer supplies nutrients. Many beds benefit from both.

Can you deliver bulk mulch or stone?
 Yes—ask about delivery windows for your neighborhood and whether you’ll need a tarp or plywood to protect your driveway.

What plants handle Kentucky heat?
 Coneflower, catmint, daylily, switchgrass, and many natives thrive with mulch and deep watering.

Do you offer design help?
 Absolutely. Bring measurements and photos for an in-store consult, or schedule an on-site visit if your project is complex.

Call to Action:
 Ready to upgrade your yard with the best landscaping supplies Lexington KY has to offer? Stop by Redmond’s Garden Center for quality soils and mulches, beautiful plants, reliable stone, and the tools to finish your project right. Need delivery or a quick materials estimate? Contact us and let’s plan your weekend win.