Should i mulch every year

Benefits of Mulch. Mulch does so much more than creating a picturesque landscape. In fact, the unseen benefits may outweigh the observable.

If applied correctly each year, mulch provides significant assistance to the plants it surrounds:. Spring is a great time to re-apply mulch for several reasons. Harsh winter weather is over, mulch has broken down significantly over the fall and winter, and typically, this is time of year when we begin weeding, planting new vegetation, and cleaning up the landscaped areas of our property.

Mulch will be most effective when beds and plant bases are first cleared of weeds, leaves, and grass. For small jobs, you can carry a bag from your car directly to the bed. For larger areas, you'll probably be buying in bulk and having it delivered to your house, so you'll need a wheelbarrow and the proper tools.

If you're using stone as mulch, a square shovel is very efficient for loading the wheelbarrow. A pointed shovel will tire you out faster than any other tool. It's designed for slicing through soil, and it can't slice through mulch.

Don't dig into the pile, but slide the shovel along the ground to get under the stone. Stone is very heavy, so be careful not to overload the wheelbarrow. Bark mulch can be loaded with a square shovel, but a mulch fork will let you load the whole wheelbarrow in just three or four scoops.

Again, run the square shovel or mulch fork into the bottom of the pile rather than digging in. Unload the mulch directly from the wheelbarrow to the beds, but don't dump the entire contents at once or you'll end up with too thick a layer. Take the mulch out of the wheelbarrow with your hands, a square shovel, a mulch fork, or a small bucket and lightly spread it to a depth of one inch. Don't put mulch on top of ground covers or spreading junipers, as mulch will limit their growth or even kill them.

Never dump any kind of mulch onto the grass, or even onto a tarp on the grass — it will kill the lawn underneath if you don't remove it immediately. Remember that the purpose of mulch is to fill in bare spots in your beds, so the more ground cover and plants you put in the less mulching you'll have to do.

In next month's column we'll talk all about planting! Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. May Is for Mulching. By Roger Cook. Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard.

How deep are the old layers? Is the mulch soggy or decomposing? Otherwise, try to remove as much mulch as you can before adding a new layer, because you do not want too many layers as this could kill your plants. When mulch layers build up beyond 4 inches, they become water-repellent, or hydrophobic. Too much mulch can also suffocate plant roots. Fortunately, there are ways to keep even the peskiest weeds under control. First, if you notice weeds growing from your mulch, you may need to add more mulch.

Try to keep mulch layers at least 2 inches deep to block sunlight and keep weeds from growing. Mulch must block sunlight to prevent weed growth. Choose coarse chipped or shredded bark mulches because they decompose slowly and are less likely to blow away. Second, make sure to pull weeds by hand as soon as you see them before they take over. A single weed can produce thousands of seeds in a season.

Weeds compete with neighboring plants for water, sunlight and nutrients, so try to remove weeds when they are small before seeds form.

You could apply a pre-emergence herbicide to prevent germinating weed seeds. However, pre-emergence herbicides do not control weeds that have already sprouted. To apply a pre-emergence herbicide, rake the mulch away, pull any existing weeds and apply the product following the instructions on the package. You can also try corn gluten meal as an organic alternative. Replace the mulch after applying the pre-emergence herbicide. For existing weeds, you can use a post-emergence herbicide spray.

Organic options include vinegar or clove oil sprays. Be careful not to harm nearby plants, and speak with a nursery to choose the right herbicides for your needs. If you have not yet added mulch or are in the process of replacing mulch, you can skip herbicide altogether and instead install landscape fabric to keep weeds from growing. To turn the mulch, grab your rake and gloves and take the following easy steps:. You should add mulch whenever layers thin out for any reason.

In the spring, add more mulch to either replace old decomposed mulch or to replenish mulch that has washed or blown away, making sure to maintain a thickness of at least 2 inches. Wait until mid to late spring when the soil is warm and moist to apply new mulch to keep moisture in and help prepare plants for summer heat.

If you add mulch too early or when the soil is cool and wet, it could slow seed germination. In the fall, apply fresh mulch to insulate plants and protect roots from harsh winter temperatures. Wait until after the first freeze to apply mulch, but add mulch before temperatures get too cold. If you add mulch before the ground freezes, you might attract critters looking for a winter home. Choose loose material like straw, hay or pine boughs to insulate plants without compacting under snow. By adding mulch in the fall, you help reduce the freezing and thawing process which, in turn, reduces the risk of plant injury.

Also, regardless of the season, always mulch around new plants right after you plant them for the best results. There are all kinds or reasons mulch layers thin out over time, and they need to be replaced to protect nearby plants and trees effectively, deter weed growth and keep your garden looking great. Here are tips to help make your mulch stay put:.