What is Mulch?
Mulch is a layer spread over a plant or tree's soil to act as a protective layer. It provides benefits for your trees and soil, making it richer in nutrients and protecting it. Mulch makes your garden look tidy; minimizes weed growth; provides nutrition to the soil; and provides, preserves, and retains soil moisture.
Types of Mulch
Organic Mulch - Organic Mulch is a natural mulch made of wood chips, straw, lawn clippings, grass clippings, shredded leaves, newspaper and cardboard, bark, softwood and hardwood chips, or any plant by-products. They improve soil fertility and structure as they decompose. However, they need to be replenished on a periodical basis because of their decomposition.
Inorganic Mulch - Inorganic Mulch is made of things that do not decompose like stone, lava, crusher dust, rubber, rocks, or other human-made materials. They last longer if you are using them for decoration, and they can also control weeds. Rocks and stones absorb heat and can keep the soil heated longer than organic mulch. This is good for the spring season but can be lethal in summers.
Inorganic Mulch - Inorganic Mulch is made of things that do not decompose like stone, lava, crusher dust, rubber, rocks, or other human-made materials. They last longer if you are using them for decoration, and they can also control weeds. Rocks and stones absorb heat and can keep the soil heated longer than organic mulch. This is good for the spring season but can be lethal in summers.
Reasons To Use Mulch in Your Garden
Suppress weed growth
Mulch deprives the weed of getting light and prevents them from entering the soil from above. This allows the bare soil to germinate.
Retains moisture in the soil
Compost mulch acts best in preventing soil moisture evaporation. It also reduces the runoff by working as a sponge, holding enough water for plants, and filtering excess water.
Insulation from extreme weather conditions
A thick layer of mulch will protect plants from all extreme weather conditions. It retains the moisture of the soil and regulates temperature to keep the plants healthy.
Increases microbial activity in the soil
Organic mulch is an organically active substance, and as it breaks down in the soil, it will increase the microbial activity and overall soil health, encouraging root growth. This will also reduce the amount of artificial fertilizer required for the development of plants.
Mulch deprives the weed of getting light and prevents them from entering the soil from above. This allows the bare soil to germinate.
Retains moisture in the soil
Compost mulch acts best in preventing soil moisture evaporation. It also reduces the runoff by working as a sponge, holding enough water for plants, and filtering excess water.
Insulation from extreme weather conditions
A thick layer of mulch will protect plants from all extreme weather conditions. It retains the moisture of the soil and regulates temperature to keep the plants healthy.
Increases microbial activity in the soil
Organic mulch is an organically active substance, and as it breaks down in the soil, it will increase the microbial activity and overall soil health, encouraging root growth. This will also reduce the amount of artificial fertilizer required for the development of plants.
When Should I Use Mulch?
The best time to Mulch is the autumn season when the soil is moistened after rain, and it's warm. This helps keep the plants safe in winter. If necessary you can do it again in spring. You’ll want to remove the old mulch before reapplying a new mulch for the plants.
How to Mulch
You only have to follow two basic rules: mulch only on the weeded ground and put enough so weeds can't enter the soil and neither grow from it.
About Seacoast Tree Care
Seacoast Tree Care provides restoring, conserving, and maintaining services for plants and trees. Our tree care programs include Pruning, Seacoast Tree Preservation, Tree Removal, Fertilizing, Cabling, Tree Cutting, and Root Collar Excavation. We also have Plant Health Care (PHC) programs in place to take care of your trees.
Give us a call if your trees require care and nourishment to prosper. You can schedule a call by calling us at 603-431-0101 for Seacoast Nh / Southern ME and 978-225-6644 for Northshore MA.
Give us a call if your trees require care and nourishment to prosper. You can schedule a call by calling us at 603-431-0101 for Seacoast Nh / Southern ME and 978-225-6644 for Northshore MA.
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