Winter is Coming!

And while you Game of Thrones fans know what that means, for us at Graham Landscape & Design, it means it's time to start planning for how you are going to protect your plant beddings. One of the best things you can do to protect your newly planted bulbs, shallow root plants, and young trees, is to cover the soil around those items with a rich layer of mulch.

It's important to note that the ideal time to lay down mulch is November-December after your trees have dropped their leaves, but we want to give you the information you need, now, so you can start planning and schedule service if you would like assistance.

Mulch comes in a variety of colors and textures so you're likely to find one that meets your aesthetic requirements. 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.

Beyond the beauty a fresh layer of mulch adds to your curb appeal, mulch also has a number of other benefits.

Controlling 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.

Retaining Moisture
Organic mulches also absorb water. Organic and non-organic varieties both cover the soil and limit evaporation. Retaining moisture, especially during hot, dry seasons help out your plants and reduces your water bill.

Preventing 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.

Providing Insulation
Mulch also acts as a thermal blanket over your planted areas, providing an extra layer of protection from extremely cold temperatures.

Maintaining 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.

Controlling 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.

Attracting Earthworms
Using organic material for mulching can encourage earthworms to occupy your garden soil. And as any good gardener will tell you, earthworms help improve soil structure and nutrient cycling.

Now that we've shown you how wonderful mulch can be, the next question is how does it need to be applied? As a general rule of thumb, it is best to lay down mulch somewhere between 2-4" deep, avoiding touching trunks of trees or stems of plants so you will avoid any rot or disease issues.

If you're not sure what to do with your yard or if this all just sounds like too much work, please let us know. Our team of experts can help you protect your yard for the cold season.