Backyard Reflections

When done properly, mulching can provide several benefits to your yard. In a nutshell, this gardening technique involves spreading organic matter over the soil to protect and improve its condition. It can help your soil conserve moisture, decrease water runoff, reduce erosion, and suppress weeds.

Backyard Reflections, one of the area’s most trusted providers of landscape services, shares some essential information about mulching.

When to Mulch

It’s important to remember that timing is crucial to mulching, and the right time to mulch your garden largely depends on the type of plant you are mulching as well as the weather conditions. Generally, mulching season is around mid- to late spring when the soil is starting to warm up from the cold temperatures during winter. That said, landscaping professionals usually warn against mulching too early because this tends to slow down the warming process.

If you have perennial flowers such as hostas and peonies, you should avoid mulching them in early spring as they typically break dormancy during this time of the year. Ideally, you should mulch them when they are completely dormant or after they have hardened.

Types of Mulch

There are two basic types of mulch that outdoor living contractors use: organic and inorganic. Both types can effectively discourage weed, but only organic mulches can improve the soil since they decompose.

This isn’t to say that organic mulches are the only smart option. Inorganic mulches also have their advantages too depending on the specific kind of mulch. Black plastic, for instance, is inorganic mulch that can warm the soil and radiate heat during the night, providing benefits to heat-loving vegetables like cherry and eggplant.

For organic mulch, the most popular options include wood chips or shredded leaves, compost, grass clippings, and straw and hay. 

Backyard Reflections is a full-service residential landscape design/build company that’s trusted by local customers. Our expertise range from landscape maintenance to lighting design landscape, and we can perform jobs to the highest standards. Call us at (320) 274-6336 (Annandale) or (218) 454-1065 (Nisswa). You can also fill out our contact form to request a consultation.