News / Cost-effective landscaping

May moves fast—and so do landscaping projects across Calgary.

Lawns are greening up, garden plans are coming to life, and materials are already in demand. If a yard refresh is on your list this season, now’s the time to get ahead of the rush—before delivery slots fill and the best products are gone

Whether you're starting from scratch or refreshing the basics, the right landscape supplies make all the difference—especially in Calgary’s unpredictable climate. Here’s what to look for, and where to get it without the usual guesswork.

Landscape Materials Should Do More Than Look Good

You wouldn’t buy paint that peels after a week—so why settle for mulch that fades or soil that suffocates your plants?

Here’s what happens far too often: people buy whatever’s cheapest or easiest from the big box store, throw it down, and then spend their weekends fixing what went wrong. Mulch blows away, rock shifts, weeds creep through.

Materials are the backbone of your outdoor space. Get this part right, and the rest comes easier—and cheaper.

What Calgary Yards Deal With:

• Low humidity: Moisture escapes the soil fast

• Freeze-thaw cycles: Constant expansion and contraction messes with foundations and pathways

• Chinooks: That wild 20°C temperature swing in a single day can wreak havoc on moisture balance
  
  

All of this means you need landscape products that are built for our climate. Buying bulk, local, and climate-smart makes a real difference.

Don’t Wing It: Plan Your Project Around the Right Supplies

1. Mulch That Holds Up—And Helps Out

Mulch isn’t just cosmetic. It keeps water in the soil, protects roots, and regulates temperature. But not all mulch is created equal.

Some break down too fast. Others turn gray in weeks. Some even attract pests. That’s why we always recommend organic or dyed mulches that are pH-balanced and sourced close to home.

Want to know how much you need? Check out our guide: How Much Mulch Do I Need?

Pro tip: In Calgary, mulch should be replaced yearly or bi-annually depending on sun exposure and moisture levels.

2. Soil That Doesn’t Quit After One Season

Calgary soil is tricky—it’s often a mix of clay and sand, which means poor drainage and low nutrient retention. If your plants have ever wilted despite your best efforts, the issue probably started below the surface.

Here’s what to look for:

• Loamy blends with compost for structure and nutrition

• Screened topsoil that filters out debris

• A balanced pH to support a wide range of plants
  
  

Don't fall for generic soil bags labeled "garden soil." Test results show many of them contain low organic matter, which makes them almost useless for proper growth.

3. Decorative Rock That Pulls Double Duty

Decorative rock is more than just nice to look at—it can solve problems:

• Prevents erosion on sloped yards

• Helps control water runoff

• Keeps weeds down

• Reduces long-term maintenance
  
  

And since rocks don’t decompose, you won’t need to replace them next year—or five years from now. Learn more about rock styles and uses in our breakdown: Your Guide to Decorative Rock in Calgary

Why Online Reviews on Landscaping Materials Are So Mixed

It’s not your imagination—landscaping product reviews online are often all over the place. One person swears by a brand of mulch. Another says it disintegrated in a week. What gives?

A Few Real-World Issues Behind Bad Reviews:

• Misuse: Installing mulch without a barrier or laying it too thin.

• Wrong Product: Using decorative rock on soft ground without a proper base.

• Poor Storage: Buying bags that have sat outside through a freeze-thaw cycle.
  
  

The problem isn’t always the product—it’s often how or where it was sourced. Local bulk suppliers like Bulk Direct offer fresher, properly stored materials that haven’t been sitting in plastic under snow since October.

You don’t just want access—you want local expertise and material that’s in-season and adapted to your soil.

How “Cheap” Ends Up Being the Most Expensive Option

Saving $20 on mulch isn’t a win if you’re reapplying it twice in one season. Too many DIY projects end up costing more than hiring someone, not because of labor—but because of poor material choices.

Here’s How Cutting Corners Costs You More:

• Redoing beds after weed growth takes over

• Replacing materials that faded or shifted

• Lost weekends trying to fix drainage problems

• Plants dying due to poor soil structure
  
  

Paying slightly more upfront for the right materials—delivered in bulk—ends up saving you a weekend of frustration and a repeat trip to the hardware store.

Plus, supporting local suppliers keeps money in your own city and helps avoid hidden costs like fuel surcharges or shrinkflation.

Check out our post on why shopping small with Bulk Direct makes a difference.

Quick Checks Before You Order

Let’s avoid the most common delivery-day mistakes. Before you schedule your drop-off:

• Measure twice: Use a volume calculator based on cubic yards

• Check the drop zone: Make sure the spot is clear of snow and accessible

• Protect your surface: Laying down plywood helps protect your driveway or lawn
  
  

Need help calculating? Use our mulch and material estimator or shoot us your layout—Bulk Direct can help size your order without pressure.

Bulk Direct: Built for Calgary. Built for Now.

At Bulk Direct, we’ve built our business around fast turnaround, honest pricing, and products that work for Calgary yards—not generic solutions from warehouses across the country.

Our customers include:

• Busy homeowners trying to get projects done before the May long weekend

• Small contractors who need consistent quality and clear communication

• Property managers refreshing curb appeal without wasting a dime
  
  

We don’t push products. We help you solve problems.

Start Now, So Summer Isn’t Spent Fixing Things

There’s still time to plan ahead—before the supply crunch starts and the calendar fills up. Whether it’s building a new garden bed, laying decorative rock, or finally tackling that yard drainage, the materials you choose matter just as much as the design.

By sourcing your landscape supplies in Calgary from a team that knows this climate—and delivers fast—you’re giving your yard a much better shot at thriving this summer.

Skip the Guesswork. Get What Works.

Let’s simplify your landscaping. Order mulch, soil, and decorative rock in bulk—delivered quickly, priced fairly, and backed by advice that’s actually useful.

👉Get a Quote from Bulk Direct Today

Baseball season in Calgary is more than just a game—it’s a community tradition. At Bulk Direct Landscape Supply, we help keep that tradition alive by providing premium baseball diamond dust, also known as red shale, to fields across the city and surrounding areas. Whether you’re maintaining a little league field or building a brand-new diamond, we’re your trusted local red shale supplier in Calgary.

Ever found yourself asking the question “How much mulch do I need?” How about “How much gravel do I need” for a pathway or driveway? Ordering too little means stopping mid-project, while too much leads to wasted materials and extra costs.