While it is well known that mulch can instantly give your property a gorgeous and finished look, the advantages of using mulch in your yards and gardens go far beyond just elevating a landscape’s appearance. Adding mulching into your home gardening plan will go a long way toward protecting your plants and ensuring they continue to thrive, even through the winter.
Learning about the benefits of mulching, as well as the different kinds of mulch available and how to use it, can help to enhance and protect your outdoor spaces all year round.
What are the Benefits of Mulching?
Curb Appeal – The addition of mulch instantly adds richness and depth to your garden and landscape beds, around the perimeter of your home, surrounding trees and shrubs, and between garden beds. Mulch can make your outdoor space look well-planned and cared for. Some of the more colourful mulches that are available can work to complement the colours of your home and its surrounding gardens.
Mulch Improves the Soil – Mulches that are made from wood or other organic materials help to improve soil health as they break down over time. Insects and microbes that naturally exist in the soil consume the mulch particles which adds nutritious by-products back into the soil.
Offers Seasonal Protection – Mulch works as a form of insulation by regulating the temperature of the soil. This means that it helps to keep plant roots cool in the warmer months and warm in the colder months. Mulching is particularly important for anything that has been planted in the fall, as they tend to be tender and vulnerable as the temperature begins to drop.
Retains Moisture – Mulch helps decrease the need for frequent watering, as it helps to slow the process of moisture evaporation, leaving more water in the soil to keep plant roots moist and healthy.
Weed Prevention – When mulch is applied in a 2-3 inch layer, it works to prevent the growth and spread of undesirable plants (aka weeds.) This works because the mulch blocks sunlight from reaching the soil directly, which inhibits the growth of anything that wasn’t invited.
How Do I Choose the Right Mulch?
There is a wide variety of mulches available in stores and garden centres. Some of the most popular mulches are made from wood; however, mulches made from rock and synthetic materials are also available. In order to reap the benefits of mulching, a mulch made from wood is the best option. Some of the best mulches are made from wood that has been recovered from natural forest areas, as opposed to those made from construction debris or ground-up plywood and pallets.
Most wood-based mulches are available in several colours, such as red, brown, and black. When you are choosing a colour for your mulch, pick one that will complement or match the colour of your home. For instance, brick homes tend to look best with red or brown mulches. It is also important to remember that the darker the mulch, the more vibrant flowers and shrubs will pop. While black mulch might seem tempting, remember that black will reflect sunlight and heat, so if you are in a warm area or your outdoor space gets a lot of direct sunlight, it might be better to choose a lighter-coloured mulch.
The Bottom Line
Mulch is one of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to immediately improve the look of your landscape while simultaneously improving the environment in which your plants live. Mulch offers year-round protection for your plants while also decreasing the time and work required to maintain your outdoor space. If you want to learn more about mulching benefits or to receive a garden service quote, contact us at Mountview Services today!