Why should I mulch my yard or garden?

Mulching is one of the most important ways to maintain healthy landscapes plants.  A mulch is any material applied to the soil surface for protection or imporvement of the area covered.  Mulching is really nature's idea.  Nature produces large quantities of mulch all the time with fallen leaves, needles, twigs, pieces of bar, spent flower blossoms, fallen fruit and other organic material.

2.

What are the benefits of mulching?

There are many benefits to mulching.  When applied correctly, mulch has the following beneficial effects on plants and soils:

• Mulches prevent loss of water from the soil by evaporation;
• Mulches reduce the growth of weeds, when the mulch material itself is weed-free and applied deeply enough to prevent weed germination or to smoother existing weeds;
• Mulches keep the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, thus maintaining a more even soil temperature;
• Mulches prevent soil splashing, which not only stops erosion but keeps soil-borne diseases from splashing up onto the plants.
• Organic mulches can improve the soil structure.  As the mulch decays, the material becomes top soil.  Decaying mulch also adds nutrients to the soil.
• Mulches prevent the trunks of the trees and shrubs  from damage by law equipment.
• Mulches help prevent soil compaction.
• Mulches can add to the beauty of the landscape by providing a cover of uniform color and interesting texture to the surface.
• Mulched plants have more roots than plants that are not mulched, because mulched plants will produce additional roots in the mulch that surrounds them.

3.

Are there different types of mulches?

There are basically two types of mulches:  organic and in-organic, and both types may have their place in the garden.

• An organic mulch is a mulch made of natural substances such as bark, wood chips, leaves, pine needles, or grass clippings.  Organic mulches attract insects, slugs, cutworms and the birds that eat them.  They decompose over time and need to be replaced after several years.
• Inorganic mulches, such as gravel, pebbles, black plastic and landscape fabrics, do not attract pests and they do not decompose.

4.

Where do I use mulch?

Mulching is a very important practice for establishing new plantings. It helps to conserve moisture in the root ball of the new plant until the roots have grown out into the surround soil. The growth rate and health of trees and shrubs increases when there is no competition for water and nutrients from weeds.  Mulch also helps to prevent tree trunk injury by mowers and trimmers.  Newly planted trees require a circle of mulch 3 to 4 feet in diameter.  Maintain this for five years.  Mulch entire beds of shrubs, trees, annuals, herbaceous perennials, and ground covers.

5.

When and how often should I use mulch?

The best time to mulch new plantings is right after you plant them.  Around established plants mulch is best applied in early spring and late fall.  This is when plants are beginning to grow and before seeds start to germinate.

6.

How do I apply mulch?

Before applying any type of mulch to an area, it is best to weed the area.  Spread a layer of mulching material over the entire plant bed.  Keep mulch 3 to 4 inches away from the stems of woody plants. 

Newly planted trees require a circle of mulch 3 to 4 feet in diameter.  Maintain this for at least three years. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.  For established trees in lawns create a circle of mulch about 2 feet in diameter for each inch of trunk diameter.  Increase the size of the mulched areas as the trees grows.  Try to apply the mulch at least 6 to 12 inches beyond the drip-line of the tree.  Because the root system can extend two to three times the crown spread of the tree, mulch as large an area as possible.

7.

How deep should I mulch?

The amount of mulch to apply depends on the texture and density of the mulch material.  Most mulches should be applied at least 4 inches deep. 

8.

How do I calculate the amount of mulch or rock I need?

To determine how many cubic feet of material is needed, you need to calculate the surface area and the desired depth of coverage. Figure out the square footage of your area or bed, that is the width times the length for square or retangular shaped areas.  The square footage of a circular bed is the distance from the middle of the circel to the outside, multipled by itself and then multiplied by 3.14 (which is pi).

Multiply your square footage by the depth desired (in inches) and divided by 324 square feet.  {There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. One cubic yard will cover 324-square-foot area with an inch of mulch or rock.} This will let you know how many cubic yards you will need.

You can also click on the "Our Products" section of our website, then scroll down towards the bottom and click on th "Material Coverage Chart," to assist you or just call us.  We will be happy to help you calculate the amount of material you will need!