How to Mulch - A Guide For Using Mulch in Your Landscape
Spring in suburbia is evident by the large piles of mulch that your neighbors dump in their driveways.
While installing mulch seems like a simple process, many homeowners use so much mulch on their landscape beds that they create an environment that is detrimental to the health of the plants which they are trying to nurture.
One can't help but cringe when viewing a 'volcano' of mulch installed around a tree.
Here we will discuss the proper methods of installing mulch and the different types of mulch to use (and not to use).
The purpose of mulch is to conserve moisture and inhibit weed growth in planting beds and trees.
Mulch is also beneficial in regulating soil temperatures; soil will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter with a layer of mulch.
Organic mulches will also improve the soil quality as they break down.
Mulch has also become a decorative element in many landscapes.
When installing mulch, follow these basic guidelines for the health of your plants: - Never use more than 3-4" in depth of mulch.
When re-mulching, keep the overall depth under 4" and consider even 2-3" as plenty.
Remove the old mulch if necessary, or at least break up the old mulch if it has become matted.
Too much mulch is worse than no mulch.
Excessive mulch may dry out the upper root zone of plants and cause plant roots to grow upwards into the mulch.
- Never pile mulch directly against the stem of plants- rather pull the mulch back several inches to create a mulch-free area around the stem.
Mulch piled against the stem of a plant can cause rotting, and invites disease and insect damage.
- Weed barrier under mulch often causes more problems than benefits.
The inhibition of water and oxygen are two major concerns.
Also, weeds will eventually root into the mulch and into the weed barrier, causing big problems when the weeds are pulled.
- Use caution when using processed sewage sludge (Earthlife, Earthmate).
While these are often the darkest of mulches, they are also rich in nitrogen and can cause excessive growth and even burning of your plants.
These products are best used as a soil amendment in limited quantities.
Many tests show these products to contain heavy metals- so keep it out of your vegetable garden.
There are many types of mulch available.
Ground up hardwood, bark mulch, and dyed mulches are all popular.
Pine bark, Cypress and pine straw are more popular in the south.
Stone may also be used, but it is more maintenance in the long term with cleaning debris from between the stones a major nuisance.
While installing mulch seems like a simple process, many homeowners use so much mulch on their landscape beds that they create an environment that is detrimental to the health of the plants which they are trying to nurture.
One can't help but cringe when viewing a 'volcano' of mulch installed around a tree.
Here we will discuss the proper methods of installing mulch and the different types of mulch to use (and not to use).
The purpose of mulch is to conserve moisture and inhibit weed growth in planting beds and trees.
Mulch is also beneficial in regulating soil temperatures; soil will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter with a layer of mulch.
Organic mulches will also improve the soil quality as they break down.
Mulch has also become a decorative element in many landscapes.
When installing mulch, follow these basic guidelines for the health of your plants: - Never use more than 3-4" in depth of mulch.
When re-mulching, keep the overall depth under 4" and consider even 2-3" as plenty.
Remove the old mulch if necessary, or at least break up the old mulch if it has become matted.
Too much mulch is worse than no mulch.
Excessive mulch may dry out the upper root zone of plants and cause plant roots to grow upwards into the mulch.
- Never pile mulch directly against the stem of plants- rather pull the mulch back several inches to create a mulch-free area around the stem.
Mulch piled against the stem of a plant can cause rotting, and invites disease and insect damage.
- Weed barrier under mulch often causes more problems than benefits.
The inhibition of water and oxygen are two major concerns.
Also, weeds will eventually root into the mulch and into the weed barrier, causing big problems when the weeds are pulled.
- Use caution when using processed sewage sludge (Earthlife, Earthmate).
While these are often the darkest of mulches, they are also rich in nitrogen and can cause excessive growth and even burning of your plants.
These products are best used as a soil amendment in limited quantities.
Many tests show these products to contain heavy metals- so keep it out of your vegetable garden.
There are many types of mulch available.
Ground up hardwood, bark mulch, and dyed mulches are all popular.
Pine bark, Cypress and pine straw are more popular in the south.
Stone may also be used, but it is more maintenance in the long term with cleaning debris from between the stones a major nuisance.
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