Mulching your landscape beds can be one of the most important things you can do for your plantings. Not only does mulch add curb appeal and keeps weeds at bay, it also can protect your plantings during the winter months, adding insulation during those long, cold months. During the summer, mulch can also insulate your plantings from extreme, hot temperatures and keep them from drying out. Be careful not to apply too much mulch as this can also drown them. Mulch comes in all different varieties depending on what area of the country you live in. Here in Michigan, most of the choices range from mixed hardwood mulch, cypress, cedar, pine and the dreaded recycled pallet mulch. Pallets are ground up and recycled into mulch and can actually leach chemicals into the soil as well as dry out plantings. Pallet mulch has a tendency to float or blow away making for a mess. At All Terra Landscape Services LLC, we often use a hardwood mulch that is safely dyed and comes in colors of red, light brown, dark brown and even black. Here are a few suggestions when it comes to installing mulch in your landscape:
- Install mulch at a depth of 3"-4"
- Choose natural mulches. Not pallets!
- Cypress and Cedar mulch is more expensive but helps safeguard against pests.
- Bulk delivery is less expensive than bagged mulch.
- Provide an edge or excavate a few inches below edging and pavement to allow for depth of mulch.
- Mulch breaks down into soil eventually. Keep this in mind when installing weed barrier fabric because after a few years you'll have weeds growing above the weed barrier.
- Install mulch in spring and be sure to provide enough to ensure proper insulation during the winter months.
At All Terra Landscape, we deliver and install mulch as well. For more information, please call or fill out our online quote request form and we would be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
My garden always looks so lush thanks to the Western Red Cedar Mulch. It helps the soil retain moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering and keeping my plants hydrated even during hot days.