{"id":20372,"date":"2024-04-10T08:56:39","date_gmt":"2024-04-10T12:56:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meadowsfarms.com\/great-big-greenhouse-gardening-blog\/?p=20372"},"modified":"2025-05-19T11:58:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:58:19","slug":"proper-mulching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meadowsfarms.com\/great-big-greenhouse-gardening-blog\/proper-mulching\/","title":{"rendered":"Proper Mulching Tips to Protect Your Trees and Shrubs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"155\" data-end=\"407\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Happy <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">April! <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Recently, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">we <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">held <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">our <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">popular <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">MULCH <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">MADNESS <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">sale at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meadowsfarms.com\/hours-locations\/big-great-greenhouse-in-richmond-virginia\/\">The Great Big Greenhouse in Richmond, VA, <\/a><\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">with <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">thousands <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">of <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">bags <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">flying <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">off <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">shelves\u2014<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">just <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">in <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">time <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">for <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">prime <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulching <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">season. <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Spring <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">brings <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">not <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">only <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">fresh <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">blooms <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">but <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">also <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">that <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">fresh, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">earthy <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">smell <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">of <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">that <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">signals <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">new <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"409\" data-end=\"647\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Proper <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulching <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">is <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">essential <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">for <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">your <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">landscape. <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">helps <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">control <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">weeds, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">keeps <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">soil <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">shaded <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">moist <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">longer, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">adds <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">organic <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">matter, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">protects <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">plants <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">from <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mower <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">weed <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">whacker <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">damage. <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">But <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">there\u2019s <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">a <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">right <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">way\u2014<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">a <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">wrong <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">way\u2014<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">to <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Too Much of a Good Thing<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"689\" data-end=\"995\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Many <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">gardeners <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">make <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mistake <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">of <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">piling <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">high <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">against <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">tree <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">trunks <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">shrub <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">stems, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">creating <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">what\u2019s <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">called <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">a \u201c<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">volcano.\u201d <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">These <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">piles <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">can <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">be <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">a <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">foot <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">or <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">more <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">thick, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">trapping <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">moisture <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">against <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">bark <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">causing <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">it <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">to <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">soften, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">decay, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">rot. <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">This <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">can <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">seriously <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">jeopardize <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">health <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">of <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">your <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">plants.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1037\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Why <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Over-<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Mulching <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Hurts <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Your <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Plants:<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1041\" data-end=\"1146\"><strong data-start=\"1041\" data-end=\"1062\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Root <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Suffocation:<\/span><\/strong> <span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Thick <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">layers <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">of <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">reduce <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">oxygen <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">reaching <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">roots, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">which <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">need <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">oxygen <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">to <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">survive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1269\"><strong data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1165\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Bark <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Damage:<\/span><\/strong> <span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">touching <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">trunk <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">kills <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">inner <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">bark <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">root <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">flare <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">zone, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">cutting <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">off <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">food <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">flow <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">from <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">leaves.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1367\"><strong data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1289\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Pest <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Habitat:<\/span><\/strong> <span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Deep <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">layers <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">provide <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">hiding <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">spots <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">for <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">pests <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">that <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">can <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">harm <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">your <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1495\"><strong data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1388\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Water <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Barrier:<\/span><\/strong> <span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Some <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">thick <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulches <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">form <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">a <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">surface <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">that <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">prevents <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">water <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">from <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">reaching <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">roots, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">especially <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">during <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">dry <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">spells.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1497\" data-end=\"1523\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">How <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">to <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Properly:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1527\" data-end=\"1569\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Keep <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">depth <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">between <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">2 <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">4 <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">inches.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1572\" data-end=\"1636\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Keep <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">pulled <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">back <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">away <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">from <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">trunk <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">or <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">stems <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">of <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1639\" data-end=\"1737\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">under <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">plant\u2019s \u201c<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">drip <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">line\u201d <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">if <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">possible (<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">area <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">under <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">outer <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">edges <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">of <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">foliage).<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1740\" data-end=\"1812\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">If <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">adding <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">fresh <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">remove <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">some <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">old <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">to <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">avoid <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">excessive <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">depth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1815\" data-end=\"1982\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Consider <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">applying <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Preen <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">before <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulching\u2014<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">it <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">creates <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">a <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">barrier <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">to <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">reduce <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">weed <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">growth <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">works <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">together <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">with <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">as <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">a \u201c<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">one-<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">two <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">punch\u201d <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">against <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">weeds <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">without <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">herbicides.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1984\" data-end=\"2158\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">Mulching <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">done <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">right <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">will <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">not <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">only <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">beautify <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">your <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">garden <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">beds <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">but <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">also <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">promote <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">healthier, <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">longer-<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">lasting <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">plants. <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">So <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">enjoy <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">the <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">fresh <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">smell <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">while <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">it <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">lasts\u2014<\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">and <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">mulch <\/span><span class=\"_fadeIn_m1hgl_8\">wisely!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>HAPPY SPRING \/ HAPPY MULCHING \/ ENJOY THE FRESH SMELL WHILE IT LASTS!!!!!<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meadowsfarms.com\/great-big-greenhouse-gardening-blog\/\">To read more posts from Doug, visit our blog<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meadowsfarms.com\/hours-locations\/big-great-greenhouse-in-richmond-virginia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Return to the Great Big Greenhouse homepage<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2014just 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 &#8230; <a title=\"Proper Mulching Tips to Protect Your Trees and Shrubs\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.meadowsfarms.com\/great-big-greenhouse-gardening-blog\/proper-mulching\/\" aria-label=\"More on Proper Mulching Tips to Protect Your Trees and Shrubs\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":20375,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardening-with-doug","masonry-post","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Mulch Correctly and Avoid 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