Why Mulch?
The main benefit of mulch comes from its ability to preserve soil moisture, but it also helps combat weed growth and improve soil health, as well as serving as a visually interesting addition to your garden beds. Mulch also helps to protect your soil from the elements. All told, mulch is really just a great way to keep your outdoor space looking great, and your soil chock full of nutrients.
A lot of water can be lost due to evaporation, so mulch serves as a way to prevent this, while also being aesthetically pleasing. Mulch comes in many forms, so there’s bound to be one that suits your needs while also adding another interesting visual element to your outdoor area.
Typically hardwood mulch is applied twice a year to maintain its effectiveness and attractive appeal. Professional grade mulch has been processed to eliminate weed seeds. It has begun the process of decomposition and is ready to begin working when applied. Raw materials like fresh wood chips may actually extract nutrients from the soil until they begin to decompose and depending upon when and where the raw wood was collected may be brimming with weed seeds.
Organic or Inorganic?
Organic mulch types include wood or bark chips, straw and pine needles. The man draw of organic mulch is that it helps your outdoor spaces by introducing nutrients into the soil. As the mulch decomposes, nutrients are released into the soil. we recommend hardwood mulch as opposed to softwood like pine. Hardwood will take twice as long to decompose, you mulch less often.
While this means your plants will receive more of a boost than with inorganic mulch, it also requires a bit more upkeep. Organic mulch is a great choice if you’re willing to spend a bit more time maintaining it, as well as if your soil is in need of a bit of extra nutrition. To emphasize the importance of healthy soil, we find it helpful to keep in mind that soil is a key element of how plants grow, so if soil is lacking in the proper nutrients then it’s hard for your plants to really flourish.
Inorganic mulch, while lacking the nourishing qualities of organic materials, is a good choice if you’re looking for something that is a bit more hands off, while still being visually pleasing. Inorganic mulch won’t break down as quickly as its organic counterpart, making it a cost effective alternative to other forms of mulch. If you go the inorganic route, you could choose from options like volcanic rock, decomposed granite or even rubber. We do not recommend inorganic mulches.
For Your Mulch Needs, Contact Longhorn Landscape Creations
We recommend going with professionals like Longhorn Landscape Creations for any mulch work. If it’s improperly laid, mulch can actually cause significant damage to your plants. Because mulch’s main purpose is to prevent water loss through evaporation, if too much is applied too much water will be retained, running the risk of root rot, which usually results in plant death. Mulch should be applied 2-3 inches in depth and cover all areas of the garden bed. No soil should be exposed. Mulch should not be excessively mounded up around the base of plants, shrubs and trees.
Improper mulching often ends up causing the very problems it is supposed to prevent, such as plant diseases and an increase of stress on the plants.
Not all mulches are created equal, Longhorn sells doubled shredded hardwood mulch. How much mulch is required is a mathematical calculation of the area to be covered and the depth required. After a consultation to assess your needs, our friendly and experienced staff will get to right to work, so for fast results contact Longhorn Landscape Creations today!