Spring in suburbia is evident via the large piles of mulch that other people dump in their driveways. While installing mulch seems appearing a simple process, property owners use so much mulch on their landscape beds they will create an environment that is detrimental to the health of the plants which they are endeavoring to nurture.
One can’t help but cringe when viewing a ‘volcano’ of mulch installed around a tree. Here we will discuss correct methods of installing mulch and the various types of mulch to use (and not to use).
The objective of mulch end up being to conserve moisture and inhibit weed development in planting beds and timber. Mulch is also valuable in regulating soil temperatures; soil will stay cooler in the summer and warmer inside the winter along with a layer of mulch. Organic mulches will also improve dirt quality as they break up. Mulch has also turn into decorative factor in many panoramas. When installing mulch, follow these basic guidelines for that health of your plants:
– Never use more than 3-4″ detailed of mulch. When re-mulching, keep general depth under 4″ and consider even 2-3″ as plenty. Remove the old mulch if necessary, or not less than break within the old mulch if enables become matted. Too much mulch is worse than no thick mulch. Excessive mulch may dry up the upper root zone of plants and cause plant roots to grow upwards in the mulch.
– Never pile mulch directly against the stem of plants- rather pull the mulch back several inches to create a mulch-free small area around the root. Mulch piled against the stem of a typical plant produces rotting, and invites disease and insect damage.
– Weed barrier under mulch often causes more problems than benefits. The inhibition water and oxygen are two major concerns. Also, weeds will eventually root into the mulch and into the weed barrier, causing big problems once the weeds are pulled.
– Be cautious when using processed sewage sludge (Earthlife, Earthmate). While these generally the darkest of mulches, they are also rich in nitrogen which will cause excessive growth and in many burning of one’s plants. These types of are best used to be a soil amendment in limited quantities. Many tests show these products to contain heavy metals- so keeping it out of one’s vegetable do some gardening.
There are plenty of types of mulch reachable. Ground up hardwood, bark mulch, and dyed mulches are all popular. Pine bark, Cypress and pine straw will popular in south. Stone may also be used, it also is more maintenance in the long term with cleaning debris from between stones a major nuisance.
Cheap Georgia Mulch
3000 Trotters Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004
(770) 637-9147