Mulch is the icing on the cake of our flowerbeds and trees. It adds an aesthetically pleasing touch to landscaping projects that would otherwise look bare and unfinished. What many amateur lawn care enthusiasts don’t realize, however, is that mulch performs a number of important practical functions as well. We don’t just mulch because it looks good; we mulch because it actively promotes the health and well-being of our plants. How?
Moisture Retention
Mulch acts as a protective barrier between sun and soil, insulating your flowerbed and keeping it cool during hot days. Without mulch, water will evaporate quickly in high temperatures before it’s able to penetrate the root systems of plants.
It’s important to note, however, that there is such a thing as too much moisture retention. When people mulch trees in “volcano” shapes, the mulch can hold so much water that it can rot the base of the tree. Rather than forming mulch volcanoes around trees, homeowners should spread mulch away from the bottom of the tree trunk, creating a protective “bowl” shape around the base of the tree.
Fertilization
Over the course of a season, the mulch in your garden is likely to turn from a thick layer of healthy tree bark to a thin layer of rot and decay. You might not be thrilled about the effect this has on the look of your garden, but it’s actually good for the health of your plants! As the mulch decays, it releases nutrients back into the soil, providing your plants with an added dose of fertilizer.
Weed Control
Even weeds need sun to grow. When we bury weed seeds under a layer of mulch, they’re unable to receive the sunlight they need to germinate. By adding mulch to your garden at the beginning of every season, you can drastically reduce the amount of time you’ll have to spend weeding.
At Suburban Lawn Sprinkler, we’ve been helping gardens in our area to thrive since 1962. Want to learn more about how a modern, highly efficient irrigation system can keep your plants happy and healthy? Give us a call today for more information.
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