When to apply mulch to landscaping
Posted by RS Landscape
Apply Mulch at the Optimum Time
When should you apply mulch in the fall? Generally, you need to wait until after a hard frost to apply winter mulch. Why should you wait until after that first frost? Well, if you put the mulch down too soon you delay the soil’s ability to freeze by retaining additional heat in the soil. Experts in lawn care, such as R&S (link) recommend a mulch depth of 3-4 inches. When you add a protective layer at the base of a tree remember to keep the mulch away from the trunk itself. However, is should cover a 4-5 foot diameter around the base of the tree. It’s necessary to avoid packing the mulch up against the trunk because it causes too much moister to gather against the tree’s base and the bark can decay. Too much is just as detrimental as too little!
Remember when you begin mulching to seek out the hidden nooks and crannies of your planting beds, especially around any statuary. This area is best suited to a medium-textured mulch. Using a fine particulate mulch doesn’t deliver the benefits of the winter mulch when it gets packed too tightly around the plants. One classic mistake homeowners make is putting down a thinner layer of mulch to stretch their landscaping dollar. The problem with this is that it doesn’t insulate well enough to prevent moisture loss.
Mulching all the planting beds, shrubs, and trees in the fall can be a daunting task, but R&S can make the process much easier for you. Call today to set up an appointment for your fall protective layer!