5 Reasons to Add Mulch to Your Yard

If you've followed our blog for a while you probably know we're big fans of mulch. And if you don't have mulch in your yard, now is the perfect time to get some down before the cold of winter really sets in. There are many reasons for why mulch is great, including the fact that it helps protect your plant beddings, any newly planted bulbs, shallow root plants, and young trees.

Mulch comes in a variety of colors and textures so you're likely to find one that meets your preferences. You can get deep browns, warm reds, and soft golden tones in both coarse and fine blends. If you're not sure which one is right for your yard, let our experts help.

Here are five reasons why you should add mulch to your yard:

1. Mulch helps to control weeds
   Mulch can limit the amount of weeds that spring up in the open spaces of your garden. It acts as a barrier, limiting the amount of sunlight that can find its way to the weeds.
   
   
2. Mulch helps prevent soil erosion
   Mulching not only keeps existing water trapped in the soil, it also keeps rain water from washing away your soil. In our rainy neck of the woods, this is really important. Mulch does this by breaking the fall of the water and therefore lessening the force when the water impacts the ground.
   
   
3. Mulch helps provide insulation
   Mulch also acts as a thermal blanket over your planted areas, providing an extra layer of protection from extremely cold temperatures.
   
   
4. Mulch helps maintain soil nutrients
   Not only does mulch keep soil nutrients from being washed away with the rain, it also can release nutrients into the soil if you are using an organic material. This happens as the organic material slowly decomposes on top of the soil.
   
   
5. Mulch helps control pests
   Using certain types of mulch, such as cedar bark, can deter some pests due to the fact that the cedar bark has natural oils that act as insect repellant. To reap the full benefits, be sure to find a mulch that is very fragrant, as it will have the greatest effect on insects.

As a general rule of thumb, it is best to lay down mulch somewhere between 2-4" deep, and you'll want to avoid touching trunks of trees or stems of plants so you don't get any rot or disease issues.

Now is the perfect time to have our team help get your yard winter ready. Give us a call today at 541-729-8029.