Mulching is a yard work task most Lafayette IN homeowners prefer not to do. But did you know that mulch refers to more than just wood chips and it serves as more than just something to make your garden “look pretty”.
Why Should I Buy Mulch?
Mulch serves more functions than making the flower beds look pretty.
- Insulates the ground: Mulch serves a purpose in more than the summer and spring. As the temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, mulch acts as an insulator. In the cooler months it keeps the frost away from the plants and keeps them cooler in the summer heat.
- Prevents weeds: Mulch helps prevent weeds by blocking them out from the sun. In a way it chokes them out. There are some exceptions though so we recommend putting down a protective weed prevention cloth down under your mulch.
- Adds nutrients: As different mulches break down, they add nutrients back into the soil to give your plants a natural fertilizer.
Types of Mulch
Most people think of mulch as wood chips, but that is only one form. Mulch is defined as anything that covers the soil surface. Also not all mulch is decorative. Some forms of mulch consist of debris from other yard work, including:
- Compost
- Grass Clippings
- Shredded leaves
- Hay
- Straw
- Shredded wood
- Pine needles
- Newspaper
- Various rocks and pebbles
- Plastic
- Weed fabrics
- Etc.
When Should I Mulch?
Mulching should take place in the early spring when plants are starting to pop up or as soon as possible after planting new flowers. This protects your plants from weather shifts in the spring and suppresses any weeds, as weeds do not begin to germinate until closer to summer.
The spring is not the finite time to mulch. Laying mulch can happen any time during the growing process. If your goal is to protect the garden from the winter freeze, it is best to mulch in the fall before things get too cold.
If you have any other questions about mulching, mowing or any other kind of lawn care, please feel free to contact us at (765) 588-3333 . We would love to talk to you and see what we can do to make your lawn everything you want it to be.