If you’re interested in shipping mulch by the truckload, then there’s a lot you need to know about before you get started. Moving a truckload of anything is going to be tricky business, so it really pays to have a trustworthy shipping partner on your side to help with the process. That’s where R+L Global Logistics comes in! We can take the stress out of transporting mulch, so you can focus on more important aspects of your business.
To ship mulch by the truckload, you need to understand how mulch is typically transported. Mulch is transported in trucks, usually 10-30 cubic yards at a time. Additionally, different types of mulch have different storage and shipping requirements, so you need to know how to care for the type of mulch you will be shipping.
There are a lot of different materials that can be used as mulch, and as such, there are many distinctly different kinds of mulch you can use for landscaping. Here are just a few examples to show the variety:
These different kinds of mulch can give each garden a unique and personal touch, but their individual requirements for shipping are also unique.
Mulch is typically shipped either in large canvas or paper bags or as bulk freight in the back of a top-loading freight truck. Bags of mulch are typically easier to handle, especially if you have a small area of ground to cover. However, if you’re shipping it by the truckload, it is much more cost-efficient to ship in bulk.
One single-axle truck can carry anywhere from 10 to 30 cubic yards of mulch (or 30 to 90 cubic feet), which would cover roughly 100 square feet of land with a three-inch layer of mulch. If your mulch is palletized or bagged, then you won’t be able to fit as much on the truck.
If you want to cut down on mulch delivery costs, then bulk is the way to go
Different kinds of mulch have different requirements for shipping, so if you want to know how to ship mulch, you need to be more specific about what type you are dealing with. Depending on the type of mulch you are shipping, you may end up having an easier or more difficult time with it.
Organic mulches, like straw and wood, is the most popular category for mulch by far. However, just because it is common does not mean it is the easiest to ship. Any time you are dealing with organic materials, you will need to be worried about rot and decay.
Although mulch is fairly hardy when compared to other types of bulk freight, you should still take caution when transporting it. For one thing, you need to make absolutely sure that you control the moisture level in the shipment, especially if the mulch needs to travel a long distance. Failure to control moisture during shipping could result in mold, mildew, and rot, and you know your customer won’t appreciate a shipment of moldy mulch.
There are a couple of steps that you can take to ensure your shipment does not mold or decay:
As long as you keep moisture under control, shipping organic mulch is easy.
Pebble and rock mulches are some of the easiest to ship, since not much is going to damage the sturdy rock. The one exception to this is pumice rock, which can be a bit fragile, but it generally doesn’t take damage because of its lightweight structure.
The biggest thing you need to worry about with stone mulches is the weight of the shipment. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), single-axle trucks are limited to 20,000 pounds. When you’re shipping a heavy commodity like stone, you might reach that weight limit before the truck is actually full.
Although it is usually the carrier’s responsibility to make sure the shipment isn’t overweight, it couldn’t hurt for you to know the weight ahead of time. You should communicate with the carrier personally or through a 3PL agent to let them know how heavy your shipment is in advance.
Inorganic mulch, like rubber or landscape fabric, is another option for mulching gardens, playgrounds, and other areas. Unlike the other two, there isn’t much you need to know about this type of mulch in order to ship it, but here are some pointers anyway.
Landscape fabric should be tightly rolled and bound to prevent unrolling, to keep it nice during the trip. It can also snag and tear if it catches on a pallet, the sides of a truck, or any other sharp or splintered surface. Wrap each roll of landscape fabric in plastic wrap before loading to keep it in good condition.
Like wood, rubber is susceptible to decomposition and mold from excess moisture and heat, so be sure to keep it as dry as possible. Tarp the truck, and avoid shipping in bad weather to mitigate this risk.
Shipping mulch by the truckload might sound daunting, but with R+L Global Logistics on your side, you can feel confident that your shipment will get delivered quickly, correctly, and intact. No matter what kind of mulch you have to ship, you can count on us to get it shipped right! We have a history of everything from transporting sunflower seeds to bulk fertilizer transport, and everything in between!
In addition to that, we also have:
If you’re ready to ship mulch by the truckload, give us a call at (866) 353-7178, or fill in our online form to request a freight quote today!
R+L Global Logistics
315 NE 14th St., Ocala, FL 34470