One of the best things you can do for your garden is to mulch. When you mulch, you are placing a protective barrier over bare soil around your plants and trees. This barrier can include a variety of decomposing organic material that can include wood or bark chips, pine needles, cocoa bean shells, straw or non-decomposing non-organic materials like landscaping fabric, black plastic, recycled tires, river rock and pebbles.
Purpose of Mulching
1. Retains moisture. Mulch that is organic will absorb water by covering the soil and limiting evaporation. Keeping as much moisture around, especially during hot, dry weather will help your plants, and your water bill.
2. Weed control. Mulching can limit the number of weeds that pop up in your garden. The mulch will act like a barrier as it prevents the amount of sunlight that will help the weeds to grow.
3. Maintains soil nutrients. Mulching helps keep nutrients around your plants instead of being washed away, it will also release nutrients into the soil if you happen to use organic mulch. It will happen when the organic material decomposes slowly on top of the soil.
4. Prevents soil erosion. Mulching works to trap water in the soil and it keeps rain water from washing away the soil. Mulching helps break the fall of the water and lessens the force when the water hits the ground.
5. Earthworms will move in. Organic mulch will encourage earthworms to come into your garden. It’s a fact the when you have them in your garden, it will improve the soil structure and the nutrient cycling.
6. Pest control. Mulch that is composed of cedar bark can work to keep pests away because it has natural oils that act like insect repellent. If you can get mulch that is very fragrant, it will work even better. You need to make sure you don’t choose a mulch that may attract pests.
7. Polishes your garden. Mulch can give your garden a finished look as it fills in empty spaces. Mulch is also easy to maintain. Other fillers like grass ground covers need to be mowed and watered and compete with the resources in your garden.
Mulching Tips & Tricks
It can work for you or against you when it comes to spreading mulch. Where and how it’s applied and the material used will all be factors. Your personal circumstances and environment need to be considered before you mulch. You need to be aware of the pests in your area and the kind of plants you want to have. The amount you use will be a factor in how successful the application will be. Mulch should never be more the 2 to 4 inches deep. If you go deeper than 4 inches, you may prevent water from getting to the soil. Some plants benefit from lots of moisture, while others do not. And since mulch retains moisture, you’ll need to research the kind of plants you want. You need to be aware of the soil you’re dealing with too. If your soil drains poorly and you have plants that need soil that is well drained then the mulch can make the problem worse. Water can become trapped around the roots, become water-logged and then rot.
Mulch Supply, Sales & Delivery in McDonough, Jackson, Jonesboro, Fayetteville & Hampton GA | Fayette, Clayton & Henry Counties, Georgia
Most times, mulching is beneficial, giving the soil nutrients, insulation and weed control, but you will need to do a little research to get the most benefits for your garden. Contact Milam’s Tree Service for more information.