It seems to be an annual rite of spring- applying a fresh layer of mulch to our gardens and landscape beds, but we must use caution so that we do not do more damage than good.
First we must remember what "mulch" is. Mulch is a generic term for any one of a variety of materials that is spread on the soil surface to aid in moisture retention, help weed growth suppression, and erosion reduction. These can be organic materials such as straw and wood chips or inorganic materials such as natural stone and crushed shells.
The most widely used mulches in landscaping are bark
mulch and wood chips. At initial
planting or during renovation a 2-3” layer of fresh mulch should be applied
over the bare soil. Annually, a light layer
should be used to add fresh color to the bed and replace the mulch that has
decomposed and been removed throughout the year. One of the big benefits for using bark mulch
or wood chips in your landscape plantings in addition to the benefits mentioned
above is that they do a great job in controlling temperature fluctuations.
During hot summer months they keep the soil cool, while during colder months
they keep it warmer.
Make sure to never let the mulch build up to a thick
layer. Without proper air flow, the mulch will damage the bark on the plant
much like a Band-Aid left on skin too long.
Excessive mulch will also destroy shrubs and perennials as they begin to
root into the mulch rather than the soil itself.
We
typically use bark mulch from local mills or our own double ground wood chips
for landscape mulch. After cutting a
crisp new edge on the bed, a light layer of mulch is evenly distributed to
highlight the plantings.
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