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Mulch serves an important purpose in your yard, aiding the growth of everything from flower beds to young trees. This attractive top layer boosts your curb appeal, limits weed growth, and locks nutrients in the soil for your plants to use. You should be mulching routinely to ensure the health of your yard, but you’ll need to find the right type and schedule for your needs. The guide below will help you get started.

Homeowner’s Guide to Mulching

What Type to Usemulch

There are many different types of mulch out there, both organic and synthetic. Popular materials include shredded hardwood bark, river rocks, pine chips, straw, and compost. River rocks or gravel are ideal for paths and will last many years before you need to reapply. For plants, however, it’s best to use organic materials such as shredded hardwood bark or compost. You can try a new material each time you mulch to determine which works best for your soil type and plants.

How Often to Do It

For all gardening areas with growing plants, you should add mulch at least once a year. It’s best to do this at the beginning of spring so the mulch can serve as a water barrier during rainy periods. It will also get your plants off to a good start for the season. Remove any leftover mulch from last year, then add two to three inches of your new layer. Make sure that your mulch does not touch the base of any plant or tree. A buffer of several inches will be enough.

 

 

Creating your dream yard requires a little professional help. Since 1990, John Relles at The Gardener has been the trusted landscaping contractor in the Columbia, MO, area. This team has experience with the area’s native plants and mulch requirements to create a healthy and attractive yard. Contact the gardening team online or at (573) 446-0802 to schedule a free, no-obligation landscape analysis.

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