Mulch For Plants And Trees
Kellett Landscaping services recognizes the importance of doing things the way you would, if only you had the time and expertise. We also recognize that your lawn, trees, and shrubs represent the most valuable portion of your landscape and that a well maintained lawn and landscape adds value to your home in the Upstate. Let our professional lawncare experts work for you and provide you with the highest quality service and affordable landscaping prices.
Why do We Use Mulch?
Mulch used as a protective covering that is placed on the ground to maintain soil moisture, maintain even soil temperature, prevent erosion, control weeds, enrich the soil, and give a clean manicured appearance.
Mulching is one of the easiest, most beneficial tools you can use in the yard or garden. Mulch is an inexpensive, protective layer of material (this could be shredded tree bark, pine needles, rubber mulch, rocks, wood chips, etc.) that is spread on top of the soil. Mulch can be used for garden beds, borders around homes and businesses, around individual trees, shrubs, and flowers. Mulching is an important practice for establishing new plantings, as well as maintaining the health of older, established ones as it acts like a protective blanket. Mulch can also be used as a general groundcover for walkways, trails, and play areas.
What are the benefits of mulch?
- Controls weeds – adding a thick base (3-4 inches) around your plants, shrubs and trees, will deter weeds from growing.
- Increases moisture retention – this means less watering during the summer, which, in turn equals water conservation!
- Regulates temperature– mulch keeps plants cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It helps to regulate soil temperature and insulate your plants, trees and shrubs.
- Protects barren soil from taking a beating from sunlight– prevents a hot, dry root environment.
- Reduces soil erosion– defends the top layer of soil from hard rains and wind.
General Guidelines on How We Apply Mulch
We will always remove perennial weeds like docks, dandelions, plantains, and grasses before we mulch. Mulch is applied to a weed-free soil surface. Simply covering perennial weeds such as Bermuda grass or nutsedge will not prevent their growth.
Thin, fine particles like compost or finely shredded mulch are best laid only 2 inches (5.1 cm) to no more than 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep around most plants and trees. Putting down a thicker layer than that, would risk reducing oxygen to the roots. Sandy soils dry out quickly and often benefit from a slightly deeper mulch layer (3 to 4 inches).
Where are good places to use mulch?
1. Anywhere you want to limit weed growth.
Mulch when properly installed will limit weed grwoth from plant beds.
2. Does mulch require any special care?
Not at all mulch simply needs to be kept tidy by sweeping loose peices back into the plant bed.
3. How often should I have mulch put doen in my yard?
It is good to get a fresh layer of mulch spread as it decomposes.
4. Can mulchs harm plants?
Mulch is actually good for your plants so long as it is the right kind for the plants in the bed. As a whole most mulches will help keep the soil moist, keep the soil the right temperature, and keeps the weeds away.
