Happy April! Recently, we held our popular MULCH MADNESS sale at The Great Big Greenhouse in Richmond, VA, with thousands of bags flying off the shelves—just in time for prime mulching season. Spring brings not only fresh blooms but also that fresh, earthy smell of mulch that signals new growth.
Proper mulching is essential for your landscape. Mulch helps control weeds, keeps soil shaded and moist longer, adds organic matter, and protects plants from mower and weed whacker damage. But there’s a right way—and a wrong way—to mulch.
Too Much of a Good Thing
Many gardeners make the mistake of piling mulch high against tree trunks and shrub stems, creating what’s called a “mulch volcano.” These piles can be a foot or more thick, trapping moisture against the bark and causing it to soften, decay, and rot. This can seriously jeopardize the health of your plants.
Why Over-Mulching Hurts Your Plants:
- Root Suffocation: Thick layers of mulch reduce oxygen reaching roots, which need oxygen to survive.
- Bark Damage: Mulch touching the trunk kills the inner bark and root flare zone, cutting off food flow from leaves.
- Pest Habitat: Deep mulch layers provide hiding spots for pests that can harm your plants.
- Water Barrier: Some thick mulches form a surface that prevents water from reaching roots, especially during dry spells.
How to Mulch Properly:
- Keep mulch depth between 2 and 4 inches.
- Keep mulch pulled back away from the trunk or stems of plants.
- Mulch under the plant’s “drip line” if possible (the area under the outer edges of the foliage).
- If adding fresh mulch, remove some old mulch to avoid excessive depth.
- Consider applying Preen before mulching—it creates a barrier to reduce weed growth and works together with mulch as a “one-two punch” against weeds without herbicides.
Mulching done right will not only beautify your garden beds but also promote healthier, longer-lasting plants. So enjoy the fresh mulch smell while it lasts—and mulch wisely!
HAPPY SPRING / HAPPY MULCHING / ENJOY THE FRESH SMELL WHILE IT LASTS!!!!!