At this point in the season, you’ve probably already decided on what plants and flowers you’ll feature in your garden; now it’s only a matter of maintenance. According to Affordable Landscape Supplies, mulch is the secret to achieving this. As the trusted source for bulk mulch, topsoil, rocks, and gravel in Burlington, KY, they’ve seen the efficacy of this simple material. If you’re unfamiliar with it, they’ve crafted this quick guide to help you understand its benefits and uses.

Benefits

Some of the major advantages to using mulch include moisture retention, weed suppression, and soil temperature stabilization. With summer just around the corner, it'll prevent too much water from evaporating in the heat. Mulch also a nice way to visually tie your garden together.

Types

There are two types of bulk mulch available: organic and inorganic. Organic types include compost, wood chips, and even dried leaves. Because they’re made from natural materials, these can do double duty by contributing their own nutrients as they decompose. For example, wood chips, whether they’re made from pine bark or cedar, are great for plants that prefer acidic soil, such as azaleas and rhododendrons.

Inorganic mulch, on the other hand, includes stones, landscaping fabric, plastic sheeting, and rubber. These varieties are a bit more expensive initially, but since they won’t decompose, they’re more cost-efficient in the long run.

Choosing which type to use will depend on the specifics of your garden, but in general, if you need to improve the soil condition and can change and replenish the mulch as needed, go organic.

Application

When applying mulch, an even layer about 1-3 inches thick should suffice. If you add too much, it can suffocate the soil—plant roots still need a bit of air to thrive. You should also leave about an inch or two of space around the base of your plants, especially the trees; because mulch holds onto moisture, cramped plants can eventually develop rot.

For anyone in Boone County or Kenton County searching for the perfect mulch option for your garden and landscaping, head to Affordable Landscape Supplies. They have seven bulk mulch options to choose from, and if you’re unsure, their knowledgeable staff can guide you to the right one. You can preview these options on their website, but if you have any questions, feel free to call them directly at (859) 586-9142.