It’s summertime, and you may be thinking to yourself: what else could I have done to protect my lawn during these warm months? Little did you know, one of the simplest ways to increase plant longevity and help protect against the elements is mulch application to your landscape. It does more than give your lawn a ‘pretty face’ – it aids in continuing growth during the summer and combats nuisances that can destroy your greenery.Â
However, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t just buy lots of mulch and fling it in your flower beds. You should know ahead of time how much mulch to buy and how thick to apply it, and prep the space before mulching!
Complete Your Spring Planting
Springtime and fall are the most effective and popular times of the year to apply mulch, so wait until you’ve planted everything and it’s settled before applying the mulch. Ensure there are no other plants you want to add to your garden before purchasing mulch, as once you lay it down, it’s challenging to plant anything else. If you have any last-minute blooms, you’ll need to get them in the ground as soon as possible to protect them.
Measuring Before Mulch Application
Many homeowners do not realize how much mulch they’ll go through applying it to every area that needs it. You should measure how many square feet the areas are by multiplying the length and width of the space. Once you determine the depth you want, multiply it by the square footage and divide by 12. There are a lot of numbers to track, so it helps to write them down.
Prepping The Space
Finding the correct mulch amount is not enough to do the job properly; the space should be prepared beforehand. To get started, you need to remove old mulch (if you have any) and weeds you see because they can spread like wildfire! As an added tip, edging the area keeps the mulch from spilling onto the grass, and laying down a sheet of fabric landscape sheeting can provide extra protection from weeds.
Additionally, the area you are mulching should be level, and mulch should be applied in small mounds around the area to make dispersing easier! Once all this is complete, you can begin spreading the mulch along your flower beds, avoiding placing it so it touches the plant stems.
Making Decisions About Mulch Type And Depth
You can choose from a variety of mulch types, including organic and inorganic, that offer unique benefits and aesthetics toyour lawn. Once you decide what type of mulch and color you want, it’s time to determine how much should be applied around the specific greenery growing there. During steps like this, it’s essential to get opinions from local professionals who understand that not all plants need the same amount of mulch and can advise on how much you need on your property.
Gather The Materials You Need
Safety is the top priority, meaning during mulch application, so we recommend wearing comfortable clothes that cover the skin and gloves when handling the mulch. We don’t recommend doing a mulch application if you have moderate to severe airborne allergies, as this can cause a flare-up. It’s easiest to use a wheelbarrow and a shovel to move the mulch from one place to another and apply it in small doses to the landscape beds. Beyond that, your hands are your best friend for smoothing and leveling the mulch to your liking!
Landscaping Yourself – Should You Do It?
Landscaping is a puzzle made of different pieces to create the bigger picture you see whenever you come home. Unfortunately, not everyone has the right tools or knowledge for landscaping jobs. That leads to possible damage and costly repairs later on. At SPI Landscaping, we know how to make those puzzle pieces fit together beautifully to create a picture-perfect yard, and a mulch application is just a stepping stone to having a lawn to be proud of!Â
