Mulching is a great extra step you can take to ensure your plants will continue to thrive in your yard. Mulch is an extra layer of protection for your plants and the advantages of this process outweigh the extra bit of work. Mulching is an important part of maintaining a happy and healthy garden, here are some things to keep in mind when considering mulching.
Advantages of Mulching
Mulching provides a lot of advantages for your outdoor landscape plants, including moderation of soil temperature, preventing weeds, and retaining moisture. All of these benefits are especially important during the hot summer months as well as the cold winter months. During the hot summer months, mulch will keep soil temperatures cooler and also retain heat throughout the cold winter months.
The Right Mulch
Most of the time a hardwood mulch is the best choice for mulching your landscape. Hardwood breaks down slowly and the pieces interlock which helps to keep it in place. An organic soil conditioner is another good mulching option. Visually it appears as if it is good rich, black dirt but is full of microorganisms that help create and sustain healthy soil. Whatever natural type you choose, it eventually breaks down and works its way into the soil adding nutrition.
A Few Tips
It’s best to spread mulch about 2-3 inches in depth, creating a nice blanket over the existing soil. When it comes to trees, it’s best to cover a minimum of about 2-3 feet out from the base of the trunk. If the space in your yard allows, it’s optimal to spread the mulch out to the size of the canopy of the tree, or dripline. It is very important not to spread it too close to the tree trunk or crown of the plant, as that can hinder growth and cause damage. For shrubs and perennials, a common mistake is to get mulch on the plant itself so be sure to double check each plant to ensure it’s free of excess mulch. Also, be careful not to over-mulch as that can starve the plant of vital oxygen and create additional issues with the plants in your landscape.
Mulching is an essential step when adding plants or working to maintain your landscape. You’ve put a lot of time, effort, and money into your outdoor space, so it makes sense to protect your investment by utilizing mulch. For a variety of mulch options, visit Lurvey Home & Garden.
