Mulch--more than just a pretty "face"

One of your first springtime chores will be to spruce up your landscape after a long winter. The best and quickest way to give your surroundings a “facelift” is by spreading a layer of fresh mulch. Besides looking great, applying organic or inorganic material around trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, and any vertical surface including walls or utility boxes, offers additional benefits.
Organic mulch, in particular, will:

1. slow evaporation of water, saving time on watering your plants and money.
2. insulate the plant roots (cold weather)/reduce soil temperatures (warm season).
3. reduce or prevent soil erosion.
4. keep fruits and flowers clean of soil that might be splashed or spattered onto the plant by rain or water.
5. help control weeds that compete with the roots for water and nutrients.
6. enhance seed germination.
7. provide protection from mowers, other equipment, foot and vehicle traffic.
8. reduce soil borne fungal problems.
9. improve soil structure, fertility, and aeration as it decomposes.
10. create an aesthetically pleasing appearance for any landscape. Choose a dyed mulch that complements the exterior of your home for a wonderful first impression.

There are two types of mulch—organic and inorganic. Organic mulches include bark mulch, pine bark nuggets and peat moss. They break down during the growing season and, in the process, add organic matter to the soil. Organic mulches are attractive, come in a variety of colors and can be used alone.

Marble chips, pebbles and lava rock are common examples of inorganic mulches. They also are decorative and may be used alone or in conjunction with plastics or landscape fabrics. Just remember, even though plastic is used, silt can build up between rocks or chips and create an area for seeds and weeds to germinate. Inorganic mulches do not have all the environmental advantages that organic products provide.

It is important that you don’t spread too much mulch in one area causing plant stress and/or death. New mulch bed layers should be 2-4 inches deep. If re-mulching beds, you may need to remove the old layer and add a light layer (1/2” to 1”) of new mulch twice a year. Try to avoid mulching heavily around perennials like irises and daylilies that multiply by underground root structures.

Avoid covering up trunks and roots as you mulch around trees. Called “volcano” mulching, this practice can lead to insect damage, rodent infestation, bark rot and other diseases. Spread mulch 3-5 inches away from young trees and 8-10 inches from mature trees. Extend mulch evenly to the tree’s dripline.
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When purchasing mulch products, it is important to seek out a reliable source, otherwise, mulch could be full of noxious weeds creating many future problems.
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Calculating how much mulch your job will need can be a snap. Environmental Hardwood Mulch is most effective between 2 and 4 inches thick. If your working area is 10 feet by 10 feet and 3 inches deep, it will require 27 cubic feet or 1 cubic yard. Use the formula below to calculate your mulch totals.

10ft x 10ft = 100sq / 4 = 25 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet = .92 cubic yards
SKI Landscape offers quality hardwood bark mulch in a variety of colors to complement any landscape. Contact us if you have any further questions at 317-757-5000 or www.skilandscape.com.