Discover the Beauty and Benefits of Decomposing Leaves and Bark
The weeds are pulled, the soil is turned and the plants are in. Now take a few well-deserved minutes to stand back and admire your work.
Okay, long enough. Now it’s time to think about mulch, the gardener’s finishing touch. What usually comes to mind are those muscle-building bags of shredded bark from the garden center. But just to clarify, mulch is actually any type of material (usually organic) spread over soil as a covering: grass clippings, shredded leaves, compost or even newspaper.
So why can’t you go mulchless? Of course you can, but check out all the good things that mulch brings to the garden party:
- It retains moisture so you don’t need to water as often. Kind of like “time released” soil maintenance.
- It hates weeds and so do you. Mulch blocks light – and without light, growing anything is a challenge.
- It keeps things cool on those sizzling summer days. Think of it as a layer of protection between the hot sun and your roots.
- It keeps things warm when temperatures drop. As soil contracts with sudden cold weather, plants can literally be pushed out of the ground!
- It makes you look good, like the gardening boss you are! Wood mulch comes in colors, from mocha brown to cedar red, to complement your home and yard.
Measure Mulch Mindfully
So how much mulch is enough, or – even worse – too much? If you’ve chosen wood mulch, the general rule is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Three inches of mulch will do the trick. Excess mulch holds too much moisture, waterlogging plants. Not enough mulch, and the weeds have a field day.
And one last note. Plants and trees love mulch, just not too close. Leave a little breathing room around them, so the mulch doesn’t actually touch stems or trunks.
There’s something polished and professional about a (garden) bed that’s been properly “made,” wouldn’t you agree?
Go forth and mulch!
And then choose the perfect Apex garden hose for your needs. With its uncompromising quality, it’ll be your go-to hose for years to come.
