To Mulch Or Not To Mulch? That Is The Question.

Finally it is spring! It’s time to get your property ready for the growing season. Once your gardens have been cleaned up and all the winter debris has been removed, it’s time to dig in.

Mulch can take your garden from drab to fab

A few yards of a good quality mulch, a sharp clean edge, and presto — transformation!

Mulch holds many benefits, including helping to:

• Retain moisture to allow your plants to access water as they need it.
  • This will save you time and money in watering (and costly replanting if you forget to water).

• Reduce weeds.
  • This will save you hours of back-breaking weeding.

• Regulate the garden temperature for your shrubs, trees, annuals, and perennials.
  • The added layer of protection during the winter means that your plants won’t experience huge temperature fluctuations, thus reducing the chance of frost-heaving.

• Add nutrients to your garden beds as it breaks down.

There are many varieties of mulch available, but the most common are shredded pine and cedar. There are also dyed versions available. Selecting the right mulch for your garden is all about which one looks the best to you. Keep in mind that mulch is organic and will break down, so it won’t last forever and will require top-ups.

Mulching Tips

Here are a two key expert mulching tips to help you get it right:

• Don’t mulch too deep. 2 to 3 inches is ideal.
  • Adding too much mulch can lead to the development of fungi spores. Not only are they not very nice, but they also inhibit the ability for water to access the soil causing the water to pool and cause root rot.

• Don’t pile mulch right up to the trunks of trees or bases of plants.
  • Leave some space so you don’t choke your plants.

Topping up your garden beds with a layer of mulch will make your gardens look beautiful and well taken care of.

To mulch or not to mulch? Yes, absolutely mulch!

Green Thumb Landscaping offers many choices for mulching. Please give us a call if you would like some help determining the right amount for your property.