Much Ado About Mulch

mulch reaps rewards when it’s done right

by Julie Young, House and Home Writer

When laid out properly, mulch is a gardener’s best friend. It is the ultimate time saver when it comes to weeding and watering, it helps fight pests, insulates plants and adds visual appeal to your overall landscape.

MULCH MASH-UP

The term “mulch” includes a wide variety of organic materials including grass clippings, pine needles, wood chips, shredded bark and more, as well as inorganic compounds such as plastic sheeting, lava rocks and impact absorbing rubber components (which are often found on playgrounds).

According to Melanie Krcilek, general manager with Small’s Garden Center in LaPorte, although a lot of people like the permanence of lava rock and other inorganic materials, it’s not as natural as the traditional cedar mulch, which can be purchased by the bag or load. Thanks to its availability, affordability, fragrance and color choices, it remains the most popular option among Michiana homeowners.

“Cedar mulch comes in natural, chocolate, black, brown and red,” she said. “Most people stick with the natural tones, but it really depends on personal preference and what will look best in your yard.”

TIPS FOR YOUR TOPPER

Andrew Moser, store manager at Kuert Outdoor Living in Goshen, says mulch can go a long way toward dressing up your landscaping and just putting down a fresh layer can give your yard an upgrade. It’s also great for your soil.

“The whole point of mulch is to help retain moisture to the ground and plants,” he said. “As the wood mulch breaks down, it is adding nutrients to the soil – which your plants love.”

Quality hardwood mulches help ensure that your material will last for a while and will not add toxins to your landscaping. Recycled wood mulch should be avoided because it can sometimes have old flooring, pallets and other items mixed into it. Dyed mulches are typically environmentally safe and the colors are made from natural ingredients that will not hurt the surrounding plant material.

Of course, mulch doesn’t last forever, so depending on the size, consistency and type of material used, it typically needs to be replenished once a year and in a three-inch layer directly on top of the soil.

“A common mistake that people make is putting a weed barrier down under the mulch,” Moser said. “This keeps the mulch from adding nutrients to the soil. Eventually mulch must be taken up so that a new layer can be added, which means the removal of the weed fabric. Mulch itself will still help keep weeds down and a granular weed preventer can always be applied.”

When it comes to mulching around trees, it is important to remove the grass before applying the mulch material. Spraying the grass around the tree with weed killer is not always a good idea because it could harm the tree as well. Moser advises to remove the sod with a shovel to create a natural edge and then apply the mulch around the tree.

“If you don’t put it down too thick and take the time to fluff it up, mulch is a great addition to your yard,” Krcilek said. “Mulch offers homeowners a natural finish that can help the whole landscape design look its best.” n

RESOURCES:

Kuert Outdoor Living, Goshen, 574-312-7557, www.kuert.com Small’s Garden Center, LaPorte, 219-778-5840, www.smallsgardencenter.com

Photos:Shutterstock.com