Flower gardens are a great way to add visual appeal to the yard, but they do require care to keep them looking great.
One of the best ways to add to the overall look of the gardens, protect the flowers, and reduce weeds is to add mulch.
With many different kinds available and DIY or professional installations, there are some things that homeowners will want to know before they get started.
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A Professional Installation is Worth It
It is a good idea to have a professional handle the mulch installation to avoid common mulching mistakes. When the mulch is not installed properly, it’s not going to offer the expected benefits.
If there isn’t enough mulch, for instance, it may not be possible to use it to prevent weed growth. If there is too much mulch, it may not look great and could actually harm the plants in the garden.
A professional can make sure the installation is done right to prevent potential issues.
Choose the Right Type of Mulch
What is the right type of mulch? It does depend on the homeowner’s preferences, the application, and the goals in the garden.
There are organic and inorganic mulches to choose from, as well as a variety of different colors. Organic mulch, like wood chips, is typically better for flower beds, while inorganic mulch can be better for low-maintenance areas like pathways.
Darker colors retain moisture better, but they can retain more heat, which may not be good depending on the home’s location.
Apply the Right Amount of Mulch
It is crucial to make sure the right amount of mulch is used for the area. If there isn’t enough mulch, it may not help to suppress weeds. It’ll be necessary to pull any weeds that grow, which can be an exhausting job, but it has to be done to protect the look of the garden and prevent the flowers from being suppressed over time.
If there is too much mulch, it can attract pests or cause issues with the roots of flowers in the garden, preventing them from getting what they need to grow. It’s typically a good idea to use between two and four inches of mulch, depending on the area, the type, and other factors.
How to Handle Old Mulch
Organic mulch is going to break down over time, so it’s important to know what to do about it. This is naturally occurring due to the exposure to the elements, and when the mulch breaks down, it can release nutrients into the soil to help the flowers grow.
It is a good idea to replenish the mulch at least once per year to keep it looking great and to keep getting benefits from it. If there is a lot of older mulch that’s just starting to be broken down, it can be left in place under the new mulch or be used for composting to add back into the soil later.
If you’d like to improve the look of garden beds in your yard, preserve more water, or protect the flowers, mulching around them is a good idea.
It’s important to make sure the mulch is professionally installed to ensure it looks great and works perfectly to get the most benefits from it. Talk with a landscaper today to learn more about your options and to schedule a mulch installation.
