“Mulching” is the act of placing protective (usually decomposing, organic) materials on top of bare soil and around plants, and it’s one of the best things you can do for your yard, garden, or landscape. It seems the benefits of using mulch are endless, but we’ll focus on the big ones:
- Inhibits weed growth and germination. Weeds are not only unsightly, they hog nutrients, water, and sunlight from the plants that you actually intend to grow. Adding mulch to your landscape keeps weeds from receiving the sunlight they need to survive. Mulch creates a physical barrier that most weeds do not have enough energy to sprout through.
- Retains moisture. Mulch acts as a sponge- it stores water for the soil beneath it to use when necessary. Again, mulch acts as a physical barrier for soil as well, which limits evaporation and keeps soil hydrated in hot, dry conditions. Mulch can keep you from having to water your landscaping as much, which keeps your wallet and the environment happy!
- Protects from temperatures fluctuations. During the winter, a layer of mulch protects plant roots from frost-heaving, in which plants are literally pushed out of the ground by the natural expansion and contraction of the soil as it cools off and heats up. During the summer, mulch keeps plant roots from becoming overheated and damaged.
- Prevents soil erosion. Mulch not only keeps soil hydrated, it protects it in times of excess precipitation. A barrier of mulch lessens the brunt of heavy rainfall and keeps soil from washing away.
- Controls pests. Certain types of mulch contain various elements that can actually deter pests from your landscape. As organic mulches break down, they improve the chemistry of the soil which encourages the numbers of helpful bacteria, fungi, and insects. These helpful organisms help to fight off other harmful, destructive organisms. Additionally, some types of mulch, like cedar and cypress, contain natural oils and chemicals that deter bugs.
- Encourages earthworms. As you can see, mulch can dramatically improve the quality of the soil beneath it. Earthworms are attracted to good, healthy soil, and every gardener knows that earthworms do wonders for a landscape through nutrient cycling.
- Improves the look of your landscape. Lastly, adding mulch to your garden or landscape can drastically improve the way it looks. Filling in empty spaces with mulch will give your space a more complete, attractive appearance. Not only that, mulch is simple to care for and will never compete with other plants or landscape features.
Whether your soil needs some TLC or you’re just looking to enhance the look of your outdoor space, mulch is a great addition to any landscape. For expert mulch services that won’t disturb your landscape, contact Dudley’s Dew Right Services here!