Mulching is one of the best ways to strengthen and beautify your flower beds and other landscape areas, and it isn’t difficult if you know how: use a thin layer, spread it evenly, avoid creating a mulch volcano, and water the mulch to settle it. You also need to add more from time to time if you use organic mulch because it decomposes.
Mulching your yard is one of the most effective ways to maintain a healthy, vibrant landscape. Mulch protects plants from heat and soil erosion, suppresses weeds, helps retain moisture, and even nourishes your vegetation as it breaks down and releases nutrients.
Types of Mulch
There are two types of mulch, organic and inorganic.
Organic mulches are plant material such as fallen leaves, grass trimmings, pine bark, straw mulch, wood mulch, or bark nuggets. All of these decompose over time and enrich the soil with nutrients and organic matter, allowing your plants to flourish.
However, each has specific advantages and benefits that others may not. For instance, wood chips are bulky and are best used around trees and in perennial gardens, while fine mulch like shredded leaves or compost is better for flower beds and vegetable gardens.
Inorganic mulch is made of non-living material like gravel, fabric, and even shredded rubber.
Check out Mulch Guide: Types, Tips, and Where to Mulch for more about each kind of mulch.
How to Lay Mulch
Mulch is a great tool for landscaping, provided it is applied and maintained properly. Improper mulch application can harm or even kill plants.
Here are some tips for properly applying mulch:
Calculate How Much You Need
Mulch can be purchased by the truckload from plant nurseries or in bags from any garden center. It’s typically sold in cubic yards. Before purchasing, calculate your mulch requirements:
- Measure the length and width of each area to be mulched in feet
- Multiply length × width to get square footage
- Decide your mulch depth (typically 2-4 inches)
- Convert to cubic yards: (Square footage × depth in inches) ÷ 324
Example: A 10 foot × 20 foot garden at 3-inch depth
- 10 × 20 = 200 square feet
- 200 × 3 = 600
- 600 ÷ 324 = 1.85 cubic yards
For more info, check out this article on How Deep Should Mulch Be?
Remove Weeds
When you mulch over existing weeds, you create ideal growing conditions for them while making them harder to remove later.
Weeds that remain under mulch can continue to grow, spread seeds, and even push through the mulch layer. Some aggressive weeds can grow through several inches of mulch.
In addition, weeds compete with your landscape plants for water, sunlight, and nutrients. Removing them first ensures your plants get all the resources they need.
Finally, mulch works best when applied to clean soil.
Edge Areas to Be Mulched
Edging areas before mulching improves both the functionality and appearance of your landscaping.
Wood, plastic, or stone edging establishes a neat, defined line between mulched areas and lawns or pathways, preventing grass from encroaching into your beds and keeping mulch from spilling onto lawns or walkways. It also prevents erosion, and, by the way, it looks great.
Not sure how to go about edging your landscape areas? Check out our guide, Garden Edging 101: Ideas and Tips for DIY Installation.
Lay Landscape Fabric (Optional)
Landscape fabric can be a useful tool in your gardening arsenal, though it has both advantages and limitations.
On the plus side, it is pretty good – although not perfect – at suppressing weeds. Quality landscape fabrics also are designed to be permeable, allowing water to reach plant roots while preventing evaporation, helping with moisture retention. Finally, it prevents erosion by holding soil in place against wind and rain.
However, it’s worth noting that landscape fabric works best in permanent plantings like around trees and shrubs rather than in vegetable gardens or annual beds that require frequent soil access and amendment.
For more, check out How to Install Landscape Fabric (in 9 Easy Steps)
Spread an Even Coat of Mulch
Be sure to apply an even coat of mulch at the desired depth. Again, two to three inches is optimal.
It’s important to leave a couple of inches of space between the mulch and plant stems and trees to prevent rot and disease. Piling mulch against the base of your plants is known as volcano mulching.
When applying mulch around trees and other plants, ensure each plant has some space to breathe. Your mulch should look more like a donut than a volcano.
Water the Mulch
This step is optional, but a good watering after you’ve spread your mulch can help it settle into place. Don’t water too much, especially if you’re using organic mulch because it will decompose more quickly. Worse, you may encourage mold growth, depending on the mulch.
Mulching Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
- Refresh mulch annually: Add an inch as needed.
- Remove some old mulch occasionally: If layers exceed four inches, remove some before adding new.
- Apply it when soil has warmed in spring: Mulching too early can delay soil warming.
Don’ts:
- Don’t use fresh wood chips on planting beds: They can temporarily deplete nitrogen as they decompose.
- Don’t apply mulch too thickly: Too much can suffocate roots and prevent water penetration.
- Don’t use colored mulch near edible plants: Some dyed mulches contain chemicals not suitable for food gardens.
For more information on replacing mulch, check out this article on How Often Should You Replace Mulch?
FAQ About Mulch
There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of mulch. For example, inorganic mulch doesn’t need to be replaced, but also won’t nourish your plants and is more prone to overheating than organic mulch. Weigh the advantages of both against the disadvantages and pick the best mulch for your lawn.
On average, mulch costs between $192 to $402 if applied by a professional. If you buy mulch at a garden store and spread it yourself, you can do it more cheaply.
Find a Lawn Care Pro Near You
Mulch is a valuable tool in a homeowner’s arsenal, but it must be used with care. Otherwise, it can cause more harm than good.
If you’re looking for lawn help, contact lawn care professionals near you. They can mow your lawn for you to keep it at its best.
Main Image Credit: Michal / Adobe Stock Free / License
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