5 Benefits of Adding Spring Mulch

When spring finally arrives after a long winter, you want to get outside and begin improving your yard. Planting spring flowers or getting your vegetable garden started are on the top of many DIY landscapers spring to-do list, but you don’t want to forget about mulching. Spring is the perfect time to refresh the mulch around your yard to protect your trees, plants and soil. Here are five benefits of spring mulching.

  1. Replace mulch lost during the winter. Winds, precipitation and storms during the winter months can remove mulch from your planting areas. Your ground cover may be sparse and need more mulch for protection.
  2. Mulch helps protect moisture levels. Before the hot weather arrives, you want to insulate your soil. Mulch can help trap moisture in the soil for healthier plants and to reduce erosion.
  3. Mulch can add nutrients to your soil. Biodegradable mulch can breakdown naturally. This adds nutrients to your soil, but also means mulch needs to be replenished as it breaks down and is lost.
  4. Reduce weed growth. Before weeds have a chance to overtake your landscaping and flower gardens, restore an appropriate layer of mulch. This helps deter weed growth and protects the aesthetics and health of your gardens.
  5. Improve the appearance of your landscaping. One of the immediate benefits of spring mulching is the way it looks. Fresh mulch can create a tidy, clean appearance for your yard.

Make sure to add spring mulching to your to-do list. Visit a quality landscape supplier to find the right mulch products – many can even deliver your mulch in bulk for convenience and a cost-effective option.

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

The Right Garden Mulch

One of the best things you can do for your garden is to put mulch around flowers, trees and shrubs.  Mulch acts as a protective barrier around the plants.  It helps to control weeds, retina moisture, prevent soil erosion, and it gives gardens a more polished look.   Deciding which type of mulch to use depends on the situation and also personal preference. 

Shredded bark mulch is one of the most popular types of garden covers.  Bark mulch comes from a variety of sources.   It’s attractive around flowers trees and shrubs, and it breaks down slowly.

Shredded leaves can also be used as mulch, but they do break down quickly and may need to be replaced ever year. 

Evergreen trees lose hundreds of needles and those pine needles make an excellent mulch.  Pine needles add a delicate texture around plants.  Pine needles hold in place quite well which makes them a good mulch for slopes. 

Gravel or rock is often used around plants, especially trees and shrubs.  These are inorganic materials and do not breakdown over time like other mulches.   One of the main problems of using rock is that it often gets scattered throughout the lawn. Rock is also heavy and cumbersome.  If at a later date you decide to use a different type of mulch it can be difficult and time consuming to remove. 

Cocoa bean or cocoa shell mulch provides several important nutrients to garden soil.  However, if this mulch gets overly wet it tends to attract pests.  The sweet smell can also attract dogs and other animals, which may dig in or even eat pieces of the mulch. 

Because mulch is so important it’s a good idea to make the right decision in what type of mulch to use.   A professional landscaper can assist you in determining the best mulch for your particular situation.

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

Landscape Materials For Weed Control

There are several landscape materials which can help control the growth of weeds in your gardens and planting areas in your yard. Instead of trying to use chemicals to kill or inhibit the growth of weeds, landscape materials like fabric, mulch and gravel can stop weeds while offering other benefits. However, choosing the right material is important for the health of your plants, as well as for aesthetic appeal. 

Landscape Fabric

While landscape fabric is useful for keeping some weeds at bay, it is usually not used alone. This fabric can be put under soil, mulch or gravel to give additional protection from weeds. It also does not add any aesthetic value beyond keeping weed growth to a minimum. 

Tree Mulch

Mulch is great for gardens, trees, shrubs and planting areas. There are several varieties of tree mulch which offer protection from weed growth while adding an organic element to your planting soil and a naturally beautiful look. Tree mulch will breakdown over time, contributing the top soil in your planting areas. It also is perfect for retaining moisture in the ground, often used to protect tree roots and promote healthy growth. 

Gravel

Gravel can be used as mulch as well, controlling weed growth while adding aesthetically to your landscape design. However, gravel will not enhance the soil like organic mulches, so it is best used in areas other than gardens or planting areas. Gravel is great for pathways, rock gardens and driveways to keep weeds under control. 

If you are not sure which material will be best to control weeds in your landscaping, talk to your local landscape supplier. They can discuss which materials will work best to add beauty to your home while keeping those nasty weeds at bay. 

Posted on behalf of Clayton Hulen, Green Brothers Earth Works

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Landscaping Essentials: Mulch

One of the single most important tools for keeping your landscape beautiful and healthy is the proper application of mulch. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most commonly neglected aspects of landscape maintenance. Mulching your flower beds, trees and shrubbery offers a wide variety of benefits, and can help you to keep your landscape design looking its best throughout the year. 

What is Mulch?

Available in a wide range of materials, mulch is a term used to describe any material spread around the roots of a plant. Organic mulch is made up of plant materials like straw, pine needles, bark, leaves and grass clippings. Inorganic mulch includes manufactured materials, stones, gravel and rock. 

Inorganic mulch typically does not break down over time, which means it doesn’t need to be replaced as often. The primary drawback of inorganic mulch, however, is the fact that because it doesn’t break down, it also doesn’t turn into nutrient-rich compost. 

Why is Mulch Important?

There are many reason why mulching is important for your garden and overall landscape design. Properly applied mulch helps to prevent soil erosion, inhibits the growth of weeds and lends a more finished look to your design. Mulch also slows the evaporation of moisture from plant roots, which allows you to water less often without sacrificing the health of your plants. 

Groundcover crops like clover and purslane can also be effective living mulches, with nitrogen-fixing properties to encourage healthy plant growth while still inhibiting the growth of weeds. Consult your landscaping professional to discuss living mulch options for your landscaping design, or to determine which alternatives would be better suited to your unique design.

Posted on behalf of Clayton Hulen, Green Brothers Earth Works

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