Mulching
Making Your Landscape Pop
Mulching needs to be refreshed every year or two depending on how quickly it’s breaking down. Our team has many different color and material options available to fit each aesthetic. It is important to keep your mulch layer in good shape so that your soil and plant roots are protected. Mulch provides insulation for the soil below and helps regulate the temperature to keep plant roots from getting too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Mulching is especially important for Fall plantings. Since the roots are still tender it is important to make sure they have a protective layer above them as the temperatures begin to fall.
Types of Mulch
There are many different types of mulch that can be applied to your garden beds. Each one has its benefits and depending on your goals, one type of mulch might be better for your plant bed than another and our team is here to help you make the right choice for your needs. You can explore the options we offer below.
Tree Bark Mulch
Made from only the bark of trees, this mulch is sustainable and organic. For example All Bark Cedar Mulch & Pine Bark Nugget Mulch.
Pros
- It looks great
- It’s natural
- It’s sustainable
- It takes longer to decompose than shredded or chipped wood
- It’s a natural insulator
- It provides nutrients to the soil beneath
- Available in multiple species
Cons
- It can be prone to being washed away by heavy rain than shredded or chipped wood
- It needs to be replaced every year or two.
Shredded or Chipped Wood Mulch
Wood mulch comes from trees or branches that have been removed. It’s a way to recycle and compost trees in an environmentally friendly way. There are many varieties and colors of wood mulch available.
Pros
- Enriches the soil as it begins to break down
- Less prone to wash away than bark mulch
- There are natural options that make it very earth-friendly like cypress and cedar.
Cons
- The cheaper mulch breaks down faster and can contain natural dyes
- It decomposes faster than bark mulch
Rubber Mulch
Need to fill in dirt around an above-ground pool or cover a walkway with comfortable material? Rubber mulch could be a good choice.
Pros
- It is visually appealing and consistent in color
- It’s available in many colors
- It requires little maintenance and can last up to 10 years
- It allows water and fertilizer to pass through to the soil
- It stays put
- It’s a good insulator
Cons
- It’s difficult to remove
- It contaminates the soil below
- It’s not good for use with plants
- It doesn’t replenish the soil with nutrients from organic matter
- It’s not fire retardant
Stone/Rock
Rock, stone, and gravel can add visual interest to a landscape and they don’t have to be replaced frequently, just filled in occasionally.
Pros
Adds visual interest
Doesn’t require a lot of maintenance
Good in shaded areas
Natural
Cons
Can cause overheating of roots
It’s difficult to remove
