Should You Mulch in the Fall?

Spring is the most popular time for mulching, but is it the only time to mulch? While adding mulch in the spring is a great idea to help reduce weed growth and improve the appearance of your landscaping, there are reasons to also mulch in the fall. Here are some benefits to adding fall mulching to protect your favorite plants and trees through the winter months.

  • Restore mulch layer. During the long summer, mulch can become displaced. Summer storms, irrigation and other factors can cause thin spots in your mulched areas that need to be replenished. You want to keep a 2-4-inch layer of mulch around trees and larger plants to protect their roots.
  • Prepare for winter. Cold weather can be detrimental to your plants. Mulch can help protect the root system and soil around your shrubs, trees and other important plants. A nice layer of bark or wood mulch can insulate roots and give them protection from the cold air and possible snow above.
  • Less work for the spring. If you only mulch once a year, it can be quite the chore. Spring is busy enough; cut down the workload in the spring by mulching in the fall. You will have much less mulch to spread, leaving you more time for planting and other spring projects.

Adding mulching to your fall chores can be beneficial to your landscaping and minimize the work needed in the spring. Visit your local landscape supplier to stock up on the best mulches for your needs. Many suppliers sell mulch in bulk amounts to save you money and can deliver right to your home to make it easier.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Improve Your Tree Health with New Mulch

Mulch or beauty bark is often seen as a tool to tidy up landscaping around bushes and larger plants. However, it has a function beyond just aesthetics. Mulch can be used to protect the moisture in the soil and can add nutrients as it breaks down; it is also not just for bushes or shrubs. Mulch can be beneficial for trees of all sizes and an important aspect of keeping them healthy.

Why Should You Mulch Around Trees?

Trees may be the biggest plants in your yard, but they need protection and care. As the giants, they need more water and nutrients than other plants, but they must fight for what they get. Mulch can help protect the roots of your trees from damage and keep the moisture in the soil. The right type of mulch can also add nutrients to your soil that trees can use to thrive.

When Should You Mulch

Most mulch needs to be replaced at least once a year. Spring is a common time when mulch is replaced, getting the landscaping ready for the warmer summer months ahead. Keeping a layer of 3-4 inches of mulch around your trees can give them extra protection from root exposure and help improve the moisture of the soil. Plus, it has the added benefit of improving the aesthetics of your landscaping.

When placing mulch, make a 3-foot circle around the tree of no more than 4-inches deep of mulch, but keep the mulch away from the tree’s trunk. This will give adequate protection for the roots from the cold and heat, while preserving moisture. Talk to your local landscape supplier about the available options in mulch for your landscaping needs.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Is Mulch Necessary for Your Plants and Trees?

You see mulch in most landscaping, usually around shrubs, bushes, trees and larger plants. Whether it is bark mulch, pine straw or another option, you will rarely see a professional landscaping design that does not use mulch. There is a reason that mulch is used by landscapers; they know it has many benefits beyond just a nice look. However, is it necessary to mulch around your plants and trees?

The quick answer to this question is no. No, it is not necessary to mulch, but it is a good idea. Mulch offers protection and insulation for the plants and trees you use it around. This helps protect the roots from cold weather and retains moisture in the soil. As mulch breaks down, it can add organic nutrients to the soil that can feed your trees and plants. Plus, it keeps weeds at bay that destroy the look of your landscaping and steal nutrients from your other plants.

All mulch is different, but it is usually best to add mulch in the spring and fall to replenish any that erodes or breaks down into the soil. Fall mulching helps protect roots during the winter and spring mulching helps give your plants the added moisture protection they need before summer.

All in all, mulch is beneficial for most larger plants and trees, making it an excellent addition to your landscaping. To determine what type of mulch is the best option for your landscaping, talk to your local landscape supplier who offers several types of mulch. They can help you decide which is best and how often it should be applied for the best results.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Advantages of Adding Mulch to Your Landscaping

Fresh laid mulch can make your gardens and landscaping areas look neat and tidy, but there is much more to mulch than just appearance. Mulch is a landscaping staple for the many advantages it offers. Mulch comes in many forms, including many types of bark or wood mulch, pine straw and other options. Here are some of the advantages of adding mulch to your landscaping besides aesthetics. 

  • Moisture control. Mulch is often used to hold in moisture in the soil. During the hot summers, water is at a premium. Keeping the moisture in the soil saves on irrigation and benefits your plants, trees and shrubs.
  • Preventing erosion. Mulch can help prevent erosion of top soil, especially on slopes and hills, keeping the nutrient-rich soil in place to feed your plantings.
  • Protecting roots. Mulch is used to protect the roots of trees and shrubs. Spreading mulch around the trunks of trees and around large shrubs can benefit the health of these larger plants.
  • Weed control. Laying mulch can prevent weed growth and keep your landscaping neat with low maintenance. Weeds not only detract for the beauty of your landscaping, they steal nutrients from the other plants.
  • During the winter months, mulch can insulate the soil and anything underneath. Often mulch is used above in-ground plumbing or septic areas to prevent freezing.
  • Adds nutrients. Some mulches breakdown over time and add extra nutrients to the soil.

While it is not mandatory to use mulch in landscaping, the benefits are plentiful. To determine the right mulch for your landscaping needs, consult with your local landscape supply store.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Time to Replace Your Mulch for Winter

Mulch helps make your landscaping look neat and tidy, but it also has functional properties. Mulch can protect your tree roots and help retain moisture in your soil. It can also limit weed growth, reducing your need to pull out weeds from your landscaped areas while adding nutrients to the soil. Many mulches can last a year or more, but a refreshing of mulched areas before winter is always a good idea for improved protection, while keeping your yard looking pristine.

So what type of mulch is best for your needs? There are several options, from different kinds of bark and tree mulch to pine straw. Here are some basics on some of the common mulches and their uses:

  • Pine Bark Mulch. Pine bark makes an excellent mulch, especially around trees and shrubs that enjoy an acid-rich soil. The pine bark can be dyed brown, red or black for aesthetic appeal.
  • Cypress Mulch. Cypress mulch is made from the entire tree, not just the bark. Like pine bark mulch, it works well for tree roots. It also has a pleasant odor and helps repel insects, which makes it a common mulch for use in playgrounds and daycares play areas.
  • Pine Straw. Pine straw can be an affordable mulch for large areas and works well for sloped areas where other types of mulch may roll or slide.

These are just a few of the mulches available to help landscape your yard. Talk to your local landscape supply store to determine which mulch will be best for your applications. You may want to use different types for various areas for aesthetic and practical purposes.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

What Can Mulch Do For Your Landscape?

Mulch adds a certain beauty to your landscape that can’t be achieved without it.

However, it is good for more than revamping the look of your landscape. Mulch can help your landscaping goals become a reality in more than just a few ways.

Mulch Can Reduce Plant Diseases

Some plant diseases are due to fungal spores that are deflected from the ground up onto your plants from rain or watering your plants. Such diseases can damage and even destroy your plants.

You can use mulch to reduce plant diseases. Mulch allows for a gentler dispersing of rain or water along your plant bed instead of allowing fungal spores to bounce up from the bare ground onto your plant.

Mulch Can Control Erosion

Mulch creates a barrier between your precious soil and the harsh elements of weather. Mulch keeps your soil intact instead of being eroded by rain and wind. It is especially useful when landscaping sloped areas that are easily eroded by heavy rain.

Mulch Can Regulate Your Soil’s Temperature

In most places, there are dramatic temperature fluctuations. Extreme high and low temperatures can wreak havoc on soil and plants.

Mulch provides a layer of protection that helps to regulate the temperature of your soil. You can think of it as a protective “blanket” that protects your soil and shields the roots of your plants from the harsh, hot sun.

Mulch Can Conserve Your Soil’s Moisture

The soil and roots of your plants would be dried up by the sun without mulch. For example, by adding mulch to your plant beds, you’ll not have to water them as frequently because the soil conserves more moisture.

Posted on behalf of Clayton Hulen, Green Brothers Earth Works

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