Beaufort sits at just 13 feet above sea level on one of South Carolina's most storied sea islands, where tidal creeks cut through cordgrass marsh and live oaks draped in Spanish moss line the waterfront neighborhoods. The native sandy soils here drain fast and shed nutrients quickly, making consistent organic mulch essential for holding moisture through the long Zone 9a growing season. Salt air off the surrounding lowcountry waterways adds stress to both turf and ornamental beds close to the water. Nearby Burton and Laurel Bay share these same coastal soil conditions, and with close to 49 inches of rain falling every year, erosion control through proper mulch and stone work is a real priority across the region.