February 22, 2021 Many people in the United States love having healthy trees and vibrant plant life in their yards. This well-intended desire to help plant life grow is a great one, and many take it upon themselves to care for their trees and plants. While these proactive efforts are well intended, they often lead to incorrect techniques and care routines. One such example can be found in the mulching process. While the process may seem straightforward and simple, one wrong step along the way could mean the difference between helping and damaging your trees. Here are several easy-to-follow steps to get each part of the mulching process right. Picking the Right Type of Mulch Mulch exists in several forms, and each one serves plant life differently. Mulch can come in the form of shredded bark, pine needles, grass clippings, shredded leaves, newspaper, straw, and much more! Bark Mulches Bark mulches are usually best suited for trees, garden beds, and shrubs. They help suppress unwanted plant life and, since they take longer to decompose, are ideal for slow-growing plants. Grass Clippings Grass clippings work great for remote areas of your yard. Application is easy, and it mostly requires you to mow over piles of grass with a mower. If you are getting your grass clippings from somewhere else, be sure to check them for weed seeds. Spreading down grass clippings that can potentially lead to weed outbreaks will end in more work for you. Shredded Leaves Shredded leaves become gifts to us from nature. All it takes is for someone to mow the lawn while there are leaves on the ground to apply the mulch to a yard. Ideally, they are great for most types of gardens. Mulch Application No matter what type of mulch you choose, it is important to apply the mulch properly. Failure to do so can result in harming the tree rather than helping it. When applying mulch, do not apply it directly against the plants or trees. Placing it directly against the tree can result in too much moisture around the base of the tree and rot away at the base. It also invites critters to come in and inhabit the area. Around trees, mulch should look more like a ring around a tree. Around plants, it should line the bed of the plants but not touch up against them. Also, make sure that the layers of mulch you apply are no more than 3 inches thick, no matter the type of mulch. Consider the type of mulch being used when deciding how thick it should be. The type that takes longer to decompose should probably have a thinner layer than mulch that decomposes in a couple of days. Let Us Help You! There is no real “perfect” time throughout the year to do it when it comes to spreading mulch. Your plant life will always welcome and appreciate the added benefits that mulch brings, no matter the time of year. If the process seems too much, give us a call! We have helped countless customers’ yards come to life, and we can do the same for you. With us, your yard and plant life are in good hands.