The practice of mulching is becoming more widely known and used in both commercial and residential landscaping. Its benefits are no longer just aesthetic, and thanks to the guidance of experts like us at Professional Ground Covers Inc., people are becoming more aware of the benefits of this versatile organic product.
How to use mulch to prepare your landscape for seasonal changes
- Winter. Using mulch to add extra protection to your trees and shrubs during the cold weather is essential. Mulching is a practical control action that prevents erosion and water loss. We recommend a 2-inch layer to help maintain an even soil temperature around the roots.
- Spring. Applying fresh mulch during spring is essential to maximize moisture in the soil. Mulch keeps tree and plant roots cool and adds nutrients as it decomposes. A layer of no more than 3 inches of fresh mulch placed in plant beds and around trees is sufficient for spring.
- Summer and Fall. Summer and fall are the two most important seasons to remember to place mulch around plants and trees. In fall, mulch begins protecting plants from the cold temperatures to come, and in the summer, it helps retain water that would otherwise seek to escape through evaporation from higher temperatures.
What types of mulch are available?
Depending on the type of plants and soil you have, you’ll need to select a particular type of mulch. Mulch benefits vary and affect how they behave concerning moisture, temperature, and combined acidity.
Shredded bark is one of the most common, well-known, and inexpensive types of mulch. It’s usually made from shredded tree bark, and one of its primary functions is to absorb nitrogen from the soil as it decomposes.
Straw decomposes slowly, which helps its properties last longer. It keeps sludge away from plants, and as long as it´s free of weed seeds, its aesthetics and properties will remain intact. Among the different straw types, pine straw is the most frequently recommended.
Compost is made up of dark soil, leaves, grass clippings, and sometimes fruit and vegetable waste. Compost decomposes rapidly and provides beneficial properties faster than other types of mulch, but it is absorbed more quickly. Aesthetically, compost does not offer great perks.
The decision about which type of mulch to use in each season of the year depends on many factors, such as the type of plants and topsoil you have, the irrigation system, the humidity, and how you plan to use it in your garden.
If you’re looking for commercial or residential mulch for sale or installation in Lawrenceville, Georgia, PGC can help. Our team of professionals will advise you on which type of much will work best in your particular situation.
Don’t hesitate to give Professional Ground Covers a call!
