Don’t Make These Mulching Mistakes

There is no doubt about it; mulch is a good thing for your landscape. Whether you use pine straw or bark, mulch can add aesthetic appeal to your property as well as many functional and health benefits to your outdoor space. In fact, organic mulch varieties can reduce weed growth, preserve soil moisture, help prevent soil erosion, lower the risk of disease and so much more.

Mulch is a great addition to your landscape – but only when it is used in the right way. Here are some common mulching mistakes to avoid so that you can get the most benefit out of your groundcover investment:

Using Too Much Mulch
More is not always better, especially when it comes to your mulch. Using too excessive amounts of mulch around your flowers and plants can cause your soil to become soggy and suffocate the roots. Try to aim for a layer of mulch that is approximately 1-2 inches thick.

Not Using Enough Mulch
Some homeowners go to the other extreme by not buying enough mulch for their space. Not only can a thin layer of mulch look too sparse, but it can’t really offer you the real benefits of mulch in terms of protecting your plant health, water conservation, erosion, etc. Order enough mulch to do the job properly and don’t ignore when your mulch needs to be replaced.

Creating “Mulch Volcanoes”
This is a common mulching mistake, and it refers to the pile or mound of mulch that many homeowners create against their trees and plants. The truth is; your trees, plants and flowers need to breathe. There is no reason to stifle them with extra mulch around their base. In fact, this can invite pests and disease and even cause root rot. Instead, keep mulch 2-3 inches away from the trunks of your trees.

Using Cheap Mulch
All mulches are not created equal. Before you simply go for the cheapest or most convenient variety, it is important that you invest in quality material. Bargain mulch may contain pesticides, weed seeds or insects. You may also notice that the color of your mulch or bark fades quickly.

It is time for mulch in your backyard? Let us help. At Woodburn Landscapes, we proudly help our customers choose the best type of mulch for their landscape as well as install it for them if they are tight on time. Call our Atlanta lawn experts today to learn more about our mulch services.