Mulched in early spring, this parkway bed allows an even coverage while allowing perennials to come up through the mulch.

Mulching in early spring allows for even coverage throughout the bed; emerging perennials come up easily through the mulch.

Shredded hardwood bark mulch has a fine texture and a warm, natural look that is perfect for all gardens.

Shredded hardwood bark mulch has a fine texture and a warm, natural look that is perfect for all gardens.

One of the best ways to make your property look its best is to apply a fresh layer of premium, shredded hardwood mulch. It not only gives your beds a clean and uniform appearance but helps retain soil moisture, keeps weeds down, keeps soil temperatures even and adds organic matter/nutrients to the soil!

One of the best times to put down mulch is in the early spring before plants have started to grow. At this time of year, there is very little disruption to existing perennials or bulbs as they are still underground, and they will grow through the mulch layer when they emerge. Installing mulch at this time may also reduce muddy ground for pets or children.

There are many different kinds of mulch available, and not all mulch is created equal. There is mulch made up of ground up utility poles, used wooden pallets and railroad timbers dyed in a variety of colors. There is mulch made from coco bean hulls, there are chunky nuggets of all kinds. Here at Nature’s Perspective, we recommend using a premium quality shredded hardwood bark for shrub beds, a high grade of leaf compost for perennial beds and a specialized playground chip for around play sets or in dog runs.

The organic mulches we use are considered soil amendments. Mulch adds nutrients to the soil and improves its texture. As the mulch decomposes, the organic matter releases nutrients that are absorbed by the microorganisms living in the soil. As these tiny creatures live and die, their remains combine with soil particles. In a clay soil, it causes tightly the packed particles to move apart, improving drainage and allowing roots to penetrate more deeply into the soil, thereby creating a healthier plant. In a sandy soil, the larger particles of organic matter lodge in between the tiny sand particles and act as a sponge, slowing drainage and keeping moisture in the soil.

There's something earthy and natural about walking on a path of irregular stepstones with shredded hardwood bark.
There’s something earthy and natural about walking on a path of irregular stepstones with shredded hardwood bark.

Mulch should be applied about 2″ deep, and it is a good idea to occasionally check the overall depth of the mulch layer. This is easily done by excavating near the trunk of a tree or shrub and seeing if the organic matter has built up on the trunk. If this is the case, you should not put more mulch down, it is important to allow time for the organic matter to thoroughly break down so that the plants will not become too deeply buried. Sometime we see mulch applied in 4-6″ deep layers, this is never a good idea and will harm the plant material by smothering roots.

Mulch is not only an excellent way to “dress up” your garden, it also adds valuable nutrients and improves the soil texture. Although it’s hard to believe, early spring is just around the corner and is considered one of the best times to install mulch. If you are interested in having mulch installed at your home this spring, please contact us for more information.