
The 5 Huge Dos and Don'ts of Mulch Landscaping

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Aside from preventing the growth of weeds, mulch has other surprising benefits. It can protect the soil by reducing water loss and regulating the temperature. As mulch breaks down, it can also improve soil nutrition and also attract beneficial worms.
This way, your foliage can stay healthy and vibrant. Mulch landscaping can also improve the aesthetics of your garden and the overall curb appeal of your home.
While it seems like a no-brainer to mulch, it’s important to do it right. Improper mulching can do more harm than good. If you’re not careful, you might parch the roots, promote fungal growth, or attract insects and rodents.
Consider these five major dos and don’ts when mulching your property.
1. Do: Use the Right Amount
The purpose of mulching is to form a protective layer for your soil while still allowing the plants to receive water and nourishment. Around two to three inches depth of mulch is ideal for most surfaces. However, the amount may vary depending on the type of flora and the condition of your garden.
If you use too little, you can have weeds and soil erosion issues. On the other hand, too much will create an impenetrable barrier that prevents water from reaching the roots.
You can use this handy mulch calculator to determine the amount you need for your landscape.
2. Don't: Use Bad Mulch
Always use the best quality mulch that you can purchase from a reliable supplier. If you get mulch from a low-budget source, you may be inviting all sorts of trouble.
For example, they might deliver mulch with disease spores. This means that the seller may have produced the mulch by using trees that got sick and died. You could also get weed seeds from mulch that was stockpiled next to a field full of weeds.
3. Do: Use Your Creativity for Mulch Landscaping
There are so many ways that mulch can help your garden get the makeover it deserves. With mulch, you have a lot of options. There are different colors, textures, and sizes of mulch to choose from.
Mulch gives you the freedom to paint the picture that you envision for your landscape. For ideas on how to incorporate mulch to your home’s exterior beauty, take a look at our gallery.
4. Don't: Ignore Bare Soil or Individual Trees
Maybe you have an aesthetic reason for leaving patches of soil uncovered with mulch. Be that as it may, you’re risking soil erosion and sediment run-off. Avoid leaving bare spots as much as possible and consider using brown-colored mulch if other colors don’t fit your scheme.
Another thing to note when mulching is to not ignore trees. Trees need love too! When laying mulch around a tree, avoid volcano mulching which can cause serious long-term damage.
5. Do: Clean out Old Mulch
If you notice that the color of the mulch is starting to fade, avoid the temptation of just adding new mulch over the old one. Old mulch can promote rotting and may attract pests. Before adding new mulch, it’s best to remove some of the old mulch first.
Mulch Better!
Mulch landscaping has lots of benefits, but it’s important to do things right the first time. Follow the tips in this article so you can have a superior garden or landscape that’s the envy of all your neighbors.
Looking for more ways to spruce up your home? Get some great ideas by reading this post.
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