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Why Is Mulching Plant Beds Important?

Applying mulch to plant beds is key to maintaining healthy, attractive landscaping. Below are some specific benefits of properly applied mulch:

  • Mulch helps retain moisture, which leads to healthier plant stock.
  • A layer of mulch around plantings reduces weed growth.
  • Mulch adds nutrients to the soil due to its natural decay.
  • A well-mulched bed prevents plant stock from getting hit or damaged from lawn equipment; for that reason, creating tree rings around trees is suggested.
  • In addition to the above, mulch adds beauty and uniformity to landscaping at a minimal cost. 

Some Do’s And Don’ts Of Mulching:

Do’s:

  • When mulching trees, mulch surrounding the trunk should look like a donut-a uniform circle.
  • Keep the mulch to a thickness of 1-2” around the base of trees, shrubs and perennials to prevent decay of the bark layer causing poor growth.  Overall, keep mulch at a maximum thickness of 4”-- any more will restrict the access of oxygen to the soil and plant roots.
  • Try to have an edge for the mulch to sit along to prevent it from migrating out into the lawn.
  • If re-mulching beds, it may be necessary to remove some of the old mulch to allow for proper depth when installing fresh mulch in plant bed areas.

Don’ts:

  • Avoid excessive build up of mulch around base of trees and shrubs.  (Volcano effect)
  • Using chipped wood from a local municipality is not recommended for typical decorative plant beds.  Using these chips may bring in viral infections that a tree had when removed and chipped; in addition, unwanted growth of saplings will also occur.
  • Do not use mulch over landscape fabric in the hope of improving the soil. When the mulch decomposes it cannot enter the soil if there is a fabric barrier between it and the soil.  Mulch will also break down creating allowing weeds to germinate above landscape fabric.

Hope the above information will help assist in a healthy and attractive landscape for you.  If interested in having your beds mulch or just delivered, please contact us.  Thanks!