Mulching your garden is greatly beneficial for several important reasons.
Well-tended landscapes require proper and careful mulching. Mulch acts as a protective barrier around plants and bare soil. This barrier can consist of a variety of decomposing organic materials, including wood chips, pine needles, and straw or non-organic materials like river rock, recycled tires, and pebbles. Mulching, however, does not just increase the visual appeal of your yard. Read on to discover several benefits mulching can offer your garden.
Mulch Controls Weeds
Because mulch acts as a barrier, it blocks sunlight from reaching weeds and weed seeds. Most weed seeds require sunlight to germinate. Eliminating weeds reduces your plants’ competition for water and nutrients.
Adds Protection From Lawnmowers
Mulch adds protection from lawn maintenance equipment while creating an aesthetically pleasing landscape. Mowers and string trimmers cause much damage to landscape plants.
Retains Moisture
Organic mulches absorb water. Both non-organic and organic mulches cover the soil and limit evaporation. Mulch’s ability to retain moisture during hot, dry seasons can not only save you expenses on your water bill but keep your plants from desiccating.
Moderates Soil Temperature
Mulch creates a blanket over the soil, moderating soil temperature extremes.
Prevents Soil Erosion
In addition to keeping rainwater in your soil, mulching also prevents rainwater from washing away your soil. Mulch can do this by lessening the impact rain makes when it touches the soil. During heavy rains, mulch can help keep your garden from being destroyed.
Provides Soil Nutrients
Organic mulch can release nutrients into the soil as it slowly decomposes. In addition, as the mulch decomposes, it adds organic material to the soil, making nutrients readily available for your plants.
Controls Pests
Mulching your landscape can help keep pests under control. Mulch can significantly reduce thrips and leaf miners. Additionally, mulch can reduce foliar fungal pathogens by lessening soil splashing preventing fungal spores from reaching the leaves. Consult the landscaping experts at Scientific Plant Service to determine which mulch may be best for your yard and any pests with which you have issues.
Encourages Earthworm Populations
Mulching with organic material encourages earthworms to move in and occupy your soil. Earthworms are beneficial to any garden as they help improve soil structure and nutrient cycling within the garden bed.
Gives Your Garden a Polished Look
Mulching your landscape can quickly improve the look of your garden by filling in empty spaces, while also being easy to maintain. Grass, groundcovers, and other fillers may require extensive care, such as mowing or watering, while they compete for resources with your plants.
Mulching your landscape this spring is an essential first step in establishing and protecting a beautiful home garden.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!