5 Benefits of Adding Spring Mulch

January 15th, 2020 Posted in Mulch
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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

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Should You Mulch in the Fall?

May 3rd, 2019 Posted in Mulch
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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

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Advantages of Adding Mulch to Your Landscaping

April 4th, 2018 Posted in Mulch
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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

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Choosing the Right Mulch for Your Landscaping

March 13th, 2016 Posted in Mulch
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Mulch is used for a variety of reasons in landscaping, from weed and erosion control to insulating tree roots and retaining soil moisture. However, there are many options when choosing which mulch to use. Most landscapers prefer organic mulches that breakdown and improve the soil, although inorganic mulches can also be used. Hardwood, pine bark, pine straw and even manure can be used as mulch, along with dyed varieties. Here are some of the uses for some popular mulches.

  • Cypress mulch. For playgrounds, cypress mulch is often used as it is a natural deterrent to insects. In some states like Georgia, daycare centers with outside play areas are required to use cypress mulch.
  • Dyed hardwood mulch. For attractive mulching, dyed hardwood mulch is an excellent choice. Mulch is usually dyed in browns, reds and black. Make sure the dyed mulch is eco-friendly, using dyes that won’t release toxins into the soil.
  • Pine Straw. Pine straw is a great covering for sloped areas. Pine straw mulch does not move as easily and can help deter erosion.
  • Pine bark mulch. For protecting tree and shrub roots, pine bark mulch is an excellent choice, especially trees that prefer an acid-laden soil.
  • Compost. Manure and even peanut shells can be used in compost mulch which can help protect soil while adding nutrients.

Still not sure which mulch will be best for your landscaping? Call your local landscape supply company that offers several varieties of mulch. They can help you choose the best mulch for your needs and offer you advice on how often to replace or add new mulch to your landscaping.

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

 

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The Right Garden Mulch

September 10th, 2015 Posted in Mulch
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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

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Advantages of Using Organic Bark Mulch

March 24th, 2015 Posted in Mulch
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With spring just around the corner, it’s time to think about adding new mulch to your landscaping. Mulch is beneficial for protecting the soil, keeping in the moisture your plants and trees need. In addition, it can help with weed control, erosion and helps improve the aesthetics of your property. There are a wide variety of options at your disposal when choosing a mulch type, including organic bark mulch. For many purposes, bark mulch can offer several advantages over other varieties.

  • Add nutrients. Bark mulch is made from trees, which will decompose and add nutrients to the soil. Each type of wood breaks down at a different rate, with pine being one of the fastest while dyed bark mulch will decompose more slowly.
  • Longer moisture protection. While you can use grass clippings and compost for mulch, they tend to decompose faster, leaving your soil unprotected. Bark can last a year or longer, helping maintain moisture in your soil.
  • Weed control. Bark mulch is great for weed control, once again better than grass or compost, keeping those pesky weeds from sprouting up in your landscaping.
  • Cleaner yard. Using bark mulch makes for a cleaner yard, easily staying in place and keeping your shoes clean when you walk over it. Other types of mulch can stick to shoes and be washed or blown away in poor weather.

When you get ready to begin your spring planting and landscaping, make sure to invest in some beautiful bark mulch for your yard. Bark works great around the base of trees or in focal landscaped areas where you want to control weed growth. To save time, find a local mulch provider who offers delivery service.

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

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