Spring is just around the corner and March is a great month to concentrate on mulch! A relatively cheap and simple addition to any landscape, mulch has a multitude of benefits. Rake through these perks and see how much mulch can aid your property in both design and functionality.
Mulch is one of landscaping’s best friends. It aids in moisture retention and weighs down weeds from being able to sprout up. Replenish your grounds with an application of fresh mulch to give your plants support for the upcoming season. Just be careful not to smoother any potential perennials that may be budding up.
I suggest applying a layer of new mulch to your planting areas every year. Have you ever driven by a property and noticed the landscape looked new and improved, but all the plants are still the same? Many times, this is because they added new mulch. What a great way to make your house or business look fresh for spring!
Mulch comes in many different forms including recycled, wood bark, colored/dyed, redwood sawdust, rock/gravel and more. It’s best to choose a mulch that will match your site conditions. For example, if you have a steep hillside, use a mulch that will hold onto the soil, like a shredded redwood vs. large wood chips. If you have an area that frequently gets flooded, you want to use a mulch that will not float, such as small gravel or rock.
Another benefit of wood mulch is as it decomposes it adds nutrients and organic material to your soil. As leaves, sticks and other organic materials break down, they provide essential nutrients to the ground, so by adding new mulch every year you can recreate the beauty of nature and give your plants that extra boost they need.
April could mean rainy weather, so defend your landscape from soil erosion or water runoff by adding a protective covering. Give young plants a new layer of mulch to not only help retain soil moisture, but to insulate from freezing.
It would be remiss to understate the benefit that mulch has on weed production. We are all battling the weeds in our yards and landscapes after the recent rain. Mulch helps create a barrier from seeds that are carried through the wind and by birds from penetrating into your soil. This helps to reduce their ability to germinate and take over your yard. This isn’t always a foolproof fix, but with the addition of new mulch, weeds will have a harder time getting established. Like I always say, “when in doubt, mulch it out!”