Your landscape design should consist of more than just grass, some shrubs, and a few trees. Creating flowerbeds and adding texture to your yard with mulch is also a great way to improve your landscape design while enhancing your home's curb appeal and value. Of course, mulch is necessary for more than just appeal. Of course, some homeowners wonder why they need mulch, which mulch is best, and how to spread mulch properly. With this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about mulch.
Benefits of Mulch
Again, a mulch-filled flowerbed or mulch around a tree can add a decorative appeal to your yard. Not only will it add texture and color, but it can also define a space.
Mulch is beneficial in other ways, too, though.
It is an essential part of watering your landscape because it helps trap in moisture, ensuring your shrubs, flowers, and trees have sufficient water to grow and thrive.
Mulch also acts as a protective layer, reducing the growth of weeds in and around your flowerbed. Because weeds need sunlight to grow, even a thin layer of mulch will block the sunlight, preventing unappealing weeds from growing up and around the plants and flowers in your flowerbeds and natural areas.
Types of Mulch
Most homeowners are surprised by the different options available when they are shopping for mulch. To get started, you would need to choose between an organic or inorganic mulch.
Organic mulches are comprised of natural materials. Eventually, these mulches will break down, allowing nutrients to seep into the soil. Examples of organic mulch include shredded wood, wood bark chips, pine straw, hay, shredded leaves, and compost.
Inorganic mulch is another option to consider. This type of mulch is made using stone or manmade materials. Examples of inorganic mulch include the following:
- Pea gravel
- Stone
- Plastic
- Shredded rubber
- Rubber bark chips
Determining which type of mulch is right for your needs can be difficult, since it truly depends on personal taste and what main purpose the mulch will serve.
If you want to nourish your plants, opt for organic mulch that decomposes over time, adding nutrients slowly to your shrubs, flowers, and trees. If you need to reduce weed growth and soil erosion, opt for an inorganic mulch, such as stone or gravel that will not decompose over time.
Besides the actual material used to make it, mulch is available in a variety of colors, too. When deciding on a color, you should consider your home's exterior, ensuring the mulch complements your home's style.
It is also important to note that some mulches will change color over time. Constant exposure to the sun and basic aging will cause dark mulch to fade or turn grey in about a year's time.
Spreading Mulch
Mulch can be spread anytime during the year, but many people believe spring is best. Spreading mulch in the spring helps you update your landscape design during the beginning of growing season, but it will also reduce soil erosion during the peak raining season.
Too much mulch spread too close to your home's foundation could increase the risk of pest infestations. On the other hand, too little mulch may not help lock in moisture or prevent weeds from growing.
Spread fine bark or chips around plants so there are around 2 to 3 inches deep of mulch. Larger bark mulch can be spread to about 6 inches deep.
Improving your landscape design with mulch is possible, but proper understanding is necessary. The tips in this guide can help you understand the benefits, the right type for your landscaping needs, and how to spread the mulch properly in your flowerbeds. Reach out to a garden center service like Natorp's Nursery for more information.