Incorporating mulch into your landscape comes with many benefits that range from curb appeal to good health for your greenery. The following guide will help you learn more about mulching to ensure that you are using this gardening essential to its fullest.

Benefits

Mulching boosts curb appeal. Adding some in flower beds and around trees creates a clean, tidy look that also makes your yard seem more organized.

As for functionality, it also helps regulate soil temperature, especially in extreme seasons. The ground stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It also traps moisture to keep root systems healthier and staves off pests, critters, and weeds that can do damage. Finally, soil erosion is curbed since the mulch will keep the ground in place and safe from wind and water.

Applications

There are many ways to use mulch to enhance your landscaping. It can be used to complement the rest of your home’s exterior, especially if you choose colors that work well with brick, stone, or the siding of your house. You can also opt to complement the elements of your garden. Darker varieties, for example, is the perfect contrast for bright flower colors and rich greens in your yard.

This material is also available in a variety of textures, which can also affect the look of your yard. Anything from pine straw to salvaged, ground-up palettes can be turned into mulching. Be sure to explore your options to see which works best for the look and feel you desire.

Best Practices

When applying mulch, use about three inches for beds and replace the layer twice a year. Keeping to this amount ensures you get maximum benefits from mulching, especially when it comes to weed control and moisture retention.  If you have herbaceous plants like peonies, daylilies, or columbines, they are too small for three inches, so two inches may be best. As you reach the edges of the area, taper out the layer so that the perimeter is thinner than the center.

When it is time to replace this landscaping product, remove some of the older material first, and fluff the rest to ensure a hard, compacted top layer doesn’t interfere with water retention and airflow. Make sure any bare areas of ground are covered with mulch, too. This benefits the health of your landscaping and also prevents those areas from eroding.
 

When you need help with mulching your garden, trust the professionals at Down to Earth Landscaping & Snow Removal. Located in North Pole, AK, these landscaping experts will ensure your property is beautiful and healthy all year round. In addition to lawn maintenance, they also offer snow removal services to keep your land clean and safe. Call the landscaping contractor at (907) 488-4232 for an estimate or stop by their website for more on their options and explore their shop.