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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Time to Replace Your Mulch for Winter

January 17th, 2017 Posted in Mulch
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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

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Getting The Most From Your Mulch

July 16th, 2014 Posted in Mulch
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Do you know when to mulch, what type to use and how much is needed for your landscaping projects? Mulch is used to retain moisture and nutrients in the soil while preventing weed growth. While mulch is made from a variety of organic materials such as grass, leaves and even paper, one of the most useful and aesthetically pleasing is tree or bark mulch. However, there is a right way to apply mulch, along with benefits to using certain types of bark mulches for different projects. 

Choosing Your Mulch

Mulch can be made from any type of tree, but there are certain types that are more popular to use for mulch. Hardwood trees are often ground to become mulch, with some mulches containing a variety of different types of trees while others are made from a specific tree or bark. Some specific uses for mulch may require buying the right blend for your needs. 

  • Playgrounds. Mulch is often used for playgrounds at schools, parks and daycare facilities. In some states, mulch must meet certain certifications to be used in play areas. Cypress mulch is often an excellent choice for these areas as it does not break down as quickly, making it excellent for reducing mud.
     
  • Trees. To protects roots, reduce weeds and retain moisture around trees and shrubs, pine bark mulch is often an excellent choice. Usually 2” of mulch replaced annually will be sufficient to keep trees and shrub bases protected.
     
  • Aesthetics. If you are using mulch to as an aesthetic enhancer to your yard more than to create topsoil, dyed mulches are a great choice. These mulches are often made from hardwood and dyed a variety of colors to compliment your yard. 

To ensure you get the right mulch in the right amount, talk to your local landscape supply store. They can help you choose the best mulch for your project, as well as give you tips on how to maintain it over the years.

Posted on behalf of Clayton Hulen, Green Brothers Earth Works

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