Where To Put Mulch?
What is mulch? If you search this question online, the descriptions would refer to mulch as something that helps your plants grow. While this is somewhat right, it’s not completely accurate. Gardeners and landscapers spread mulch to keep the temperature of the soil warm, retain moisture, add nutrients to the soil, suppress weeds, protect plant roots, and keep pests out of flower beds. Mulch is also used for aesthetic purposes. For example, applying mulch around tree trunks is not only beneficial as it retains moisture for the roots of the tree, but it also looks wonderful. Mulching is a great way to keep your garden looking cohesive and even bring a pop of color depending on what you use it for.
Where To Put Mulch?
Benefits of Mulching
Weed Control
While your plants can live without mulch, it can make life easier for both you and your foliage. Not only does mulching help with weed control, but it even protects your garden from the changing weather as high winds and heavy rain can cause soil erosion.
Fruits and Vegetables
If you’re growing fruits and vegetables and you’re not always there to check if all of them are ripe, then your mulch can actually act as a cushion so they don’t get damaged when they drop. Not only does mulch protect your fruits and vegetables from bruises, but it also makes it easier for you to clean them.
Pro tip: Unlike flower beds, it is best to avoid laying mulch around the base of your plants in a vegetable garden. For the best results, add mulch between plant rows to prevent weed growth.
Less Watering
It may seem like mulching is only for big gardens. In reality, you can even use it for your potted plants. In fact, mulch can go anywhere with plants. Don’t be afraid to treat your herb gardens or your favorite indoor plants. Mulch can make it look in theme with your house and can help you maintain it better.
Not only can you water it less often but you don’t have to be afraid of the pests that may come and attack your plants. Some types of mulch are also odorless so you won’t have to worry about those organic or rotten smells that other types carry.
Types of Mulch
Each kind of mulch is different, so be sure to do some research on what you can use and what is accessible to you. Note that some types are a lot more nutritious for your plants while others are mostly used for aesthetic purposes.
Organic Mulch
Organic mulches include formerly living materials such as:
- chopped leaves
- straw
- grass clippings
- compost
- wood chips
- shredded bark – bark mulches
- sawdust
- pine needles
- paper
Examples of healthier types of mulch are dead leaves and grass cuttings. Dead leaves and grass cuttings are filled with nitrogen and other nutrients your plants love. Although grass clippings and dead leaves are inexpensive, they can smell and look worse as time goes by.
Where should you use organic mulch?
Organic mulch can be used in various areas to improve soil health and prevent weed growth and is ideal for:
- Vegetable gardens
- Annual flower and perennial gardens
- Around trees and shrubs
- Areas prone to erosion
- Turf that needs a green boost
- Around pathways.
Inorganic Mulch
Inorganic mulches include:
- black plastic
- geotextiles (landscape fabrics)
- stones
- rocks
Don’t be fooled, rocks are for looks only. They don’t provide any nutrients but do keep the weeds out and the temperature constant. Rocks can also give a whole different look to your garden beds. River rock or gravel is great if you have cacti and succulents. Be sure to find out which type is best for you before you go out and make your purchase.
Where should you use non-organic mulch?
- Around hardscape features like footpaths and patios
- In rock gardens and rain gardens
- Around your home’s foundation to discourage pests
- In areas where weeds and pests are common
In conclusion, mulching is very beneficial to your foliage. Give it a try so both you and your plants can have less stressful lives.
Additional Source: 10 Mulch Do’s and Dont’s
Omaha Tree Services
At Omaha Tree, our mission is to provide tree care services & mulch products that improve the HEALTH, BEAUTY, & SAFETY of our customers’ trees. We recycle all of our wood waste material from the trees we trim and remove in the greater Omaha metro area. The wood waste material is brought back to our 8-acre site at 3606 McKinley Street, where it is processed into a beautiful & consistent mulch product that is local, fresh, and clean. Contact us today.
Omaha Mulch Prices
Our mulch products are LOCAL, FRESH, CLEAN & CONSISTANT. Our mulch is sold to various nurseries, landscapers & residential homeowners.
Natural:
$20 per cubic yard
Coffee Brown, Hickory Brown & Black:
$34 per cubic yard
Amber & Red:
$38 per cubic yard