For the most homeowner, landscaping mulch is used to beautify their yard, but it does a lot more. Here a few benefits that come from proper mulch application.
- It helps maintain the moisture in the root zone by reducing evaporation. This would result in healthier plant/trees and lower water bills.
- Helps control the weeds, creating a beautiful yard with a lot less effort.
- Mulching can also improve soil fertility and soil structure over time and can act as an insulator, keeping the soil warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
- Mulching can also help increase efficiency in mowing/maintenance by creating a better flow around trees and flowers gardens instead of around corners. It can also be used to make a beautiful transition between a grassed area and the forest.
Basics of proper mulching
- Ensure that drainage around the area to be mulched is proper and that you will not create a drainage issue once the mulch is in place.
- For flower gardens, apply mulch in a 2-4 inch layer to create a nice uniform blanket over the bed in order to maximize the benefit of the mulch.
- For trees, it is preferable to the mulch area as wide as the tree drip. Place mulch in a 2-4 inch layer and keep away from the tree trunk or stems so the trunk is fully exposed.
- For borders (no plants or trees) you can use filter fabric under the mulch or place a thicker layer (6inches) of mulch. This would reduce the maintenance and would keep your yard beautiful for a longer period of type.