I have never been a natural gardener. For years, I struggled to keep basic houseplants alive, only to kill them at the first opportunity. It was difficult and stressful to buy a home with a yard, but I knew that I might be able to learn what I was doing wrong and correct the problem. To start off, I focused heavily on the lawn, and tried hard to keep it trimmed and well-maintained. Next, I cleaned up the flowerbeds. It was a lot of work, but I knew that it would pay off in the end. When I was done, my front yard was gorgeous, and guess what--it even stayed alive. This blog is all about loving your little landscape.
As the spring season settles in, one of the things that your landscape contractor might have mentioned is the benefit of mulching around your yard. For homeowners who are new to flower bed, shrub, and plant care, you might wonder what the big deal is about mulch. The truth is that there are some important things to consider if you're going to apply mulch to your landscaping. Here's a look at some of the things that you need to know.
Consider Your Mulch Material Carefully
The first thing to think about is the type of mulch that you'll apply. For consistency, you'll want to try to use the same type of mulch across your entire landscape whenever possible. There are many natural mulch materials, including wood chips, cocoa bean hulls, and more. These are great if you want a mulch that's going to break down and add more nutrients to the soil in the process.
You can also choose synthetic mulch material. Rubber, plastic, and similar types of materials are crafted into many types of mulch. You might find that certain vegetable plants, like peppers or tomatoes, benefit from this kind of mulch because it helps concentrate heat into the soil beneath.
Know What To Mulch
You'll want to apply mulch anywhere that you're hoping to insulate the soil temperature, retain water in the soil, and reduce or prevent weed growth. When you're applying mulch around the base of trees, make sure that you don't actually touch the tree trunk. Leave a gap of several inches from the edge of the mulch to the trunk. This reduces the risk of moisture accumulation around the trunk, which can cause rotting. In addition, don't mulch too deep or too close to your home's foundation. That creates an ideal environment for pest infestations in your home because they can hide in that mulch.
Choose The Right Time To Mulch
Another important thing to think about is when you'll apply the mulch. If you apply it too soon, you might actually trap the cold temperatures in the soil and prevent the necessary spring soil warmup that helps your landscaping thrive for the growing season. Talk with your landscaping contractor about the best time for mulch application so that you give your landscape its best possible chance.
These are some of the most important considerations for your mulch application. Talk with a landscaping service today to learn more about types of mulch and to apply them.
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