McDonnell Nursery

McDonnell Nursery runs a garden and soil products and mulch yard in Orinda, California, selling to both trade and retail customers. Google lists the business under 5 categories — Garden center, Mulch supplier, Gift shop, Plant nursery — which points to a broader inventory than a single-product yard carries.

The business holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 71 reviews. That tracks close to the California average of 4.6 across the 1,411 suppliers we list statewide.

What McDonnell Nursery supplies

Garden centers carry bagged soil, compost and mulch alongside plants and often sell bulk material from a yard out back. That combination is convenient when a planting project needs both the medium and the stock in one trip.

Bagged product suits containers and small beds; once a project passes roughly ten bags, loose material almost always works out cheaper per cubic foot. Ask whether bulk pricing is available before loading a cart.

Bulk mulch comes in hardwood, dyed, cedar, cypress and pine bark varieties. Bought loose by the yard it usually costs well under half the per-volume price of bagged mulch at a big-box store, which is why most repeat buyers switch to bulk.

Because McDonnell Nursery carries several material lines, it is often possible to combine an order across products — soil, mulch and stone on one truck — rather than paying separate delivery charges to two or three different yards.

How much material you need

Garden and soil products is sold by the cubic yard. One cubic yard equals about 27 cubic feet — roughly thirteen 2-cubic-foot bags.

As a rough guide: 1 yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3 in; 2 yards covers about 215 sq ft at 3 in; 5 yards covers about 540 sq ft at 3 in.

Order slightly over rather than under. Coming up short means a second delivery charge, which almost always costs more than the extra material would have.

Ordering and delivery

Delivery pricing usually keys off distance from the yard, so confirm both the charge to your address and any minimum load before comparing quotes.

Check where the truck can actually dump. Tandem trucks need overhead clearance and firm ground, and most drivers will not reverse across a soft lawn or a new driveway. If access is tight, ask whether they run a smaller truck or can leave the load at the kerb.

Pricing for bulk material is rarely published in full, since it moves with stock and season. The business website may list current products, but a phone call will get you a firm delivered number faster.

Ratings and reputation

Among the suppliers we list across California, this rating places McDonnell Nursery in the top 69%.

Review volume matters as much as the score. A 4.5 drawn from 71 reviews reflects a substantial track record.

Best time to buy in California

California's longer growing season spreads demand across more of the year, which generally means better availability than northern markets. Even so, spring remains the peak for garden and soil products, and summer heat makes midday loading and installation punishing — early-morning pickups are worth the alarm clock. Autumn and winter are frequently the best value windows, with shorter queues and more flexible delivery scheduling.

Other suppliers nearby

There are 6 other suppliers we list within a short drive, the closest being Diamond K Supply, Ltd. in Lafayette, roughly 3.1 miles away. 89 suppliers sit within a 25-mile radius of this yard.

Pricing the same material at two or three yards is usually worth the phone calls. Bulk rates move with stock on hand, and delivery radius often decides which supplier is genuinely cheapest to your address.

Buying garden and soil products in Orinda

We list 1 bulk supplier in Orinda and 1,411 across California, spread over 365 cities and towns.

Bulk material pricing is intensely local. Trucking is a large share of the delivered cost, which is why a nearby yard usually beats a cheaper one further out once the full quote lands.