A Simple Guide to Springtime Mulching
Springtime Mulching
Nothing says “Spring is here!” quite like the sight of new mulch being installed in flower beds. Springtime Mulching is a very important part of your landscape’s upkeep, especially after the winter season. If you’re not sure where to begin, this guide will give you a start.
Why Mulch?
In addition to soil, mulch is one of the most important components of a healthy and attractive landscape. It’s a natural concept inspired by the leaves, needles, twigs, pieces of bark, and other organic materials that fall to the ground and create a natural type of mulch around trees and plants. Now that homes are built with their own separate landscapes, mulch needs to be added separately in order to provide this important protection and nutrition.
Overall, mulching serves cosmetic and functional purposes for any plot of landscaping. It not only prevents the soil from losing too much water, but it also maintains a more even soil temperature, minimizes soil erosion, and prevents soil compaction. Certain types of mulches also improve soil structure by adding nutrients. Of course, a fresh coat of mulch also adds beauty and curb appeal to flower beds and free standing plants by covering the bases of all landscaping with a uniform color and texture.
Spring Time Mulching
After seasons of sun, wind, rain, and decomposition, mulch is in desperate need of a reboot by springtime. Pine straw is a popular mulching material in the south because it is affordable and highly porous. This means that pine straw helps moisture reach the soil and plant roots, but can also prevent erosion and runoff. The tradeoff to these benefits is that pine straw usually needs to be replaced two or three times per year, rather than just one. Wood mulch is the basic type of standard mulch made from cypress, cedar, pine, or other trees, and this type of mulch is available in a number of different forms, including shredded, nuggets, and chipped.
If you are simply placing mulch down to refresh last year’s batch, you will need about two to three inches to properly cover the old mulch and fill in any holes. If you are putting mulch down for the first time, you’ll need at least four inches to get the job done. It’s best to do this project before the weather heats up too dramatically in order to protect landscape beds from evaporation and sun damage.
If handling your own mulching doesn’t sound like a job you’re ready for, call Oasis Palms & Landscaping at 813-370-1135 for professional help.