What is mulch? Why do you need mulch? Where do you put this mulch? When do you put this mulch? Mulch, mulch, mulch, mulch, mulch. There are many foundational questions that come up about mulch, and it’s important to understand those foundations as they lead into a deeper appreciation for what, why, where, and when it should be used. Did we say mulch enough times already? Let’s dive into the basics
What?
- Mulch can be defined as any material that is used to cover a layer of soil. It can be composed of many different materials, each with their own unique properties, advantages, and disadvantages. The most common type of mulch used is bark which is also known as shredded or chipped. Bark, as the name suggests, is made up of tree bark. It usually is sourced from the waste materials of furniture manufacturers or sawmills. If you’re interested in learning more about the different types of mulch, take a gander here [link to other blog about types of mulch].
Why?
- The most important question is why. Sure, aesthetics are great - it makes your landscaping work look tidy and contrasts the vibrant green color radiating from your freshly cut, healthy grass (at least we hope it’s healthy!). However, aesthetics are only a part of the why. The other part is much more badass. Mulch battles weeds! Weeds are painful to deal with and are just plain annoying. They tend to appear anywhere there’s soil in your yard, and they annoyingly tend to reside in the spots you’re trying to make aesthetically appealing. The good news is that mulch provides an insulating layer between the soil and atmosphere. This constrains the amount of oxygen that weeds could otherwise utilize to continue growing.
Where?
- This is where you can get creative! You can mulch any location of your yard. The most popular locations to mulch are garden beds, areas around trees, areas around shrubbery, areas walkways, and even around pools. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a walkway that is well mulched. The combination of color contrast from the mulch, grass, and pavement make for a vibrant curb appeal that attracts the eyes of friendly neighbors.
When?
- The most popular times to mulch in the midwest are in the spring, summer and fall. For those that are lucky enough to reside in warmer climates, you could potentially mulch all year round! Most of our customers like to get their mulch delivered on Thursday or Friday, so they can have their mulch ready for the weekend job. There are some customers that have a preference for Monday delivery, so they can do a little bit of the job over the course of the week. Whichever your preference is, we’re here to serve!
We like to think of mulch as a tool that can be used for functional purposes like killing weeds and visual purposes like making your yard look fresh, crisp, and clean. Add mulch to your landscaping arsenal, so you can start killing weeds and getting your home the aesthetic attention it deserves.