Mulch is one of those terms that everyone seems to have heard, but many people do not know exactly what it actually does. Even people from urban areas, where there are not many outdoor spaces, gardens or lawns, have still heard of mulch. Most people think that mulch only has decorative purposes, but this is simply not true. It is vitally important to your property. Today’s blog will clear up many common misconceptions about mulch. The goal at the end of this is to provide helpful and useful information so that you can APPLY what you learned. (If you didn’t get that pun, read on because you clearly have no idea how mulch works. Don’t worry we can help!)
Without further ado, here are ten things you should know about mulch.
1. What is Mulch?
Mulch is an application that is used to improve the style and health of your landscape. Mulch helps the soil in a variety of ways. It can aid in stopping the growth of weeds, keeping your soil from drying out, protecting the soil from frost, and lessening the chance of erosion. Mulch also diminishes the effect foot traffic has on your lawn, while providing additional organic matter to your soil. (Hello nutrients!)
2. What other parts of your property can mulch impact?
Believe it or not, mulch can help more than just your lawn. If you have flower beds or a garden, mulch adds nutrients to these as well. It also helps your trees, shrubs, and hedges by providing a barrier. This lessens the threats from humans and other plants in the area.
3. Types of Mulch
Mulch comes in all different varieties just like everything else. Make sure you use the right mulch for your property.
Please be aware that types of mulches available can vary based on different areas and climates. Check your local businesses to see their inventory and ask about the best options for you. (We can help with that!) Types of mulch include, but are not limited to, pine straw, seaweed, bark, shells, nut hulls, and cocoa bean (The mulch with the best aroma!).
4. Laying Mulch
Mulch can improve the overall look of your landscape. It is recommended that mulch be applied in thin layers, close to the edges of your property and pavement.
You want to make sure that you are swapping out and discarding your older mulch from time to time. When you apply more to your landscape, it is recommended that you remove some of the mulch that was already there. The fresher the mulch, the healthier your lawn and property will be. This is especially important for your flower, fruit and vegetable beds.
5. Shopping for Mulch
You want to make sure you are getting your mulch from a place that has good reviews and staff that knows their stuff. There is such a thing as rotten or bad mulch. Rotten mulch often contains weeds and seeds because it was laying out in the middle of a field not being taken care of properly. Good mulch can elevate the look of your property, but bad mulch can destroy it! Proceed with caution when purchasing mulch for your landscape.
6. Mulch helps dry spots
Sometimes your soil may dry out. It happens to the best of us. If you find dry spots or just old spots that are barren in your soil, you have to take care of that right away. If you do not, there is a high chance that it will lead to lawn disease or erosion. It may even lead to flooding on your property due to sediment runoff, which will cause damage that you do not want. Covering your bad soil with mulch will counteract the effects of the damage and start to help it recover.
7. Right Amount of Mulch
The amount of mulch you require obviously depends on your landscape’s specific needs. Flowerbeds and gardens require a different amount of mulch than healthy lawns do. If a lawn is in bad shape, the situation needs to be assessed before adding mulch. It is best to call the experts, like us, to help.
8. Wrong Amount of Mulch
When you over apply mulch, it leads to the suffocation of your plants and possibly will kill them. Mulch is not something you just drop all at once. You have to make sure you apply it, set it and then come back to reapply. It has to be done over time and be spread out evenly to work properly without causing damage to your plant life.
9. The Proper Timing
The right amount of mulch has been discussed. Now, let’s talk about the right time. The best time of year to mulch is in the fall. Make sure you add a good amount of water before you mulch and then again after you mulch. A good time to mulch throughout the year is when your seedlings are at the height of four to six inches. Make sure you do not apply mulch directly to your plan stems. It needs to be at least an inch away from the stem.
10. Bad Conditions
There are definitely certain times of the year where you do not want to apply mulch on your property. Do not apply mulch to your lawn if there are any weeds in your soil. It is also not a good time to mulch if your soil is frozen, so the winter is not optimal for this task. Avoid applying mulch to your property or lawn if it is a very windy day. It will lead to uneven amounts of mulch throughout your property.
We hope this article gave you enough confidence to handle your own mulching! If not, we can provide this service for you! Marathon Lawn Care is proud to serve the residents in the Austin TX area. We also serve North Austin, Cedar Park, and Leander. In addition, we work in the following communities:
- Cat Hollow
- Scofield Farms
- Wells Branch
- Anderson Mill West
- Village at Anderson Mill
- Mesa Park
- Rattan Creek
- Hunters Chase
- Milwood
- Northwood
- Old Millwood
Marathon Lawn Care is here for all your questions on mulch and any other lawn care services you may require! Call us today! Our customer service representatives will be happy to assist you.