When it comes to gardening, one of
messiest and time-consuming work is mulching. Whether you have a huge lawn or a
small one, mulching is a very important gardening task that must be done with great
care and attention to every detail. From the very initial steps up to the final
touches, the right steps must be executed properly.
What is the use of mulching?
First, it keeps the soil moist and
healthy. Spreading mulch greatly aids in retaining moisture in the soil. It even
adds nutrients to the soil while it decomposes naturally.
Secondly, it is good for weed
management as it able to suppress most weeds when they germinate, Mulch creates
a barrier which makes it more difficult for weeds to crawl and disrupt the
plant beds.
When is the best time to spread
mulch?
According to experts in lawn care
Apex, NC residents trust, the best time to do mulching is in winter. While it
is obviously harder to do such task during winter than any other season, installing
or replenishing mulch is more effective during the colder months.
For one, it helps insulates and
protects your grass and plants from the elements.
Two, clearing out the plant beds is
essential before applying mulch. Most weeds are dead and dormant during winter
which means it is also the perfect time to clear out the plant beds. You can
easily spot and remove any remaining leaves and brushes.
Three, bed maintenance is minimal
during winter because most if not all of the leaves from the trees have fallen
on the ground this time. Therefore, your newly installed or replenished mulch
won’t be covered by newly fallen leaves.
Four, mulch greatly adds to the
overall aesthetics of your lawn since most of your colorful, appealing plants
are dormant during the winter season.
What kind of mulch should you use?
During the winter season, wood mulch
is highly recommended by lawn care experts. As compared to pine straws which
can also be a great option, regular wood mulch such as redwood bark and cedar
chops provide better insulation to plants and nutrients to the soil.
In a nutshell, mulching is not just
an option. It is a must if you want your plants and lawn to be protected from the
elements and still get the nutrients they need. You can always ask the help of lawn
care service providers in your area if you think that spreading mulch is too much
work for you.
By Irma Barrett, info resource from http://www.pleasantgreengrass.com.
