The three depth tiers we quote
Every grind Korven runs falls into one of three depth tiers. Tell us what you want to do with the spot and we quote to the tier. Ask for something shallower and you'll save money now and pay for it later when grass thins or a shrub root won't take.
- Turf and reseeding (8 in below grade): Seed, sod, or overseed the spot the same week.
- Replanting or garden beds (12 in below grade): New shrubs, ornamentals, garden beds, mulch rings.
- Construction and hardscape (18 in or deeper below grade): Patio, driveway, footings, or a fresh tree.
Why 8 inches for turf
Turfgrass roots typically run four to six inches deep. Below that you want clean fill or topsoil, not shredded wood. Eight inches of grind depth gives us room to blend the chip layer down, rake in topsoil, and leave a seedbed that behaves like the rest of the yard. Shallower than that and the wood mat holds water differently than the surrounding soil, and you get a visible brown circle every August.
Why 12 inches for planting
Shrubs, ornamentals, and small trees need a real root ball to establish. Twelve inches lets you dig a planting hole below the residual chips into intact soil, so the new plant is not sitting on a decomposing wood cap. Beds around foundations follow the same rule; mulch on top of a shallow grind hides settling for one season and then the whole bed sinks.
Why 18 inches for construction
Footings, slabs, and hardscape need mineral soil under them, not organic matter that will keep losing volume for a decade. Eighteen inches is our standard construction depth and covers most residential patio and driveway prep. Anything deeper is a removal job, not a grind.
Choosing the right tier
Tell us the plan and we quote the tier. If you don't know yet, ask for turf depth and note that you might come back for a deeper pass later. That's cheaper than paying for 18 inches and using 8.