TLC Lawn Care

A few completed projects from last season for throwback Thursday! #TBT

Applying mulch to plant beds is key to maintaining healthy, attractive landscaping. Below are some benefits of properly applied mulch: Mulch helps retain ground moisture, which leads to healthier plants. A layer of mulch around plantings prevents sunlight and some oxygen from getting to the ground, which reduces weed growth. Mulch is totally biodegradable and adds nutrients to the soil as it decays.... 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 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. Have an edge for the mulch to sit along to prevent it from washing out into the lawn after a rain fall. 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. Using chipped wood chips from a freshly cut tree is not recommended for typical decorative plant beds. Using these chips may bring in viral infections that a tree had when removed and chipped; also, unwanted growth of saplings will also occur. Using mulch over landscape fabric will not improve 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 after a year or so allowing weeds to germinate above landscape fabric. Hope the information above was helpful! If you're interested in having your beds mulched let us know!