 As the weather cools down and we enter the mild Autumn months, you may consider adding a layer of mulch to your garden beds. When is the best time to mulch- Fall or Spring? The answer depends, as both times are appropriate for adding mulch to achieve different outcomes. Adding a layer of mulch in the fall can often be a great idea to help protect your plants through the winter, and it is important to know when to do this.
When is the Best Time to Mulch- Fall or Spring? Mulching in the spring can be great for keeping weeds down throughout the growing season and adding a sharp and manicured look to your garden beds. While this is always a good idea, it is also very beneficial to mulch in the fall. A fresh layer of mulch after the first frost of the year can protect the roots of your plants from very cold spells during the winter. It can also protect the soil layer from getting washed out during fall and winter storms. Benefits of Mulching in the Fall During the fall months, while plants are going dormant for the winter, it is a great opportunity to add some protection to your garden beds. A layer of mulch applied in the fall will protect any of your perennial plants and shrubs’ roots that are close to the surface. The layer of mulch will insulate the roots from drastic changes in temperature and deep freezes. A fall layer of mulch will also protect the soil in your gardens from heavy fall and winter storms. Since the layer of mulch will break down over the winter months, it will give your gardens a head start the following spring by adding compost to the garden. When is the best time to apply fall mulch? There is actually an ideal time to lay the mulch in fall. After most of the leaves have fallen and the season’s final cleanup has been done in the garden, it is the easiest and best time to mulch. The mulch will need to be right up against the crown of your plants to protect them from the elements, so it is essential to wait until the plants are all cut back for the fall. Usually, after the first frost of the season, most perennials will be ready to cut back. You want to ensure that all of the leaves from your plants and shrubs are gone for the year, and mulching should be the last maintenance item on the list. This makes the typical fall cleanup time a great opportunity to add a protective layer of mulch. The mulch layer in your garden is important not only for preventing weeds and adding a beautiful look, but for protecting the plants and shrubs from the elements as well. Give us a call now to schedule adding mulching to your fall cleanup routine. It will go a long way in allowing your garden to come back stronger and brighter the following year. The use of pine needles, also known as pine straw, as mulch for your garden beds is a great idea for several reasons. They are an inexpensive alternative to mulch, they stay in place, and can acidify the soil in your gardens. If you already use these as mulch or plan to in the future, you may wonder: How often should you put out pine needles? We will answer this question and outline some benefits of using this sustainable mulch below.
How Often Should You Put Out Pine Needles? Pine needles differ from hardwood and bark mulches in that the needle is a much softer part of the tree. This means that the needles will begin to break down much sooner than other types of mulch. This is a benefit to your garden, but if you are looking to keep the mulch looking decorative and fresh, you will want to replace the pine needles at least every 6 months. Adding new pine needles twice a year will freshen up the look of the beds while adding protection where the old needles have begun to break down. It is important to note that while adding pine needles every 6 months will ensure a fresh-looking mulch layer year-round, it can cause the layer to become thick over time. Your lawn care team may decide to take some of the broken-down needles away during application to prevent excess buildup. Benefits of Using Pine Needles The use of pine needles as a mulch is beneficial to your gardens and the planet in several ways. Aside from looking beautiful, the pine needles will create a weed-barrier, help the garden retain moisture, and as the needles break down, they will create a compost layer that adds nutrition into the soil. Sustainable- Many types of mulch require processing such as grinding, and dyeing. Pine needles naturally drop off pine trees and require no processing. This makes them a sustainable type of mulch that is good for the planet as well as your garden. Aesthetically Pleasing- The appearance of a fresh layer of pine needles on your garden bed adds some color and keeps beds looking freshly manicured. Pine needles will also reduce the amount of time spent weeding, as they form a dense layer that keeps weeds down. Good for Soil- As pine needles break down, they add acids into the soil, which can be beneficial to certain types of plants including rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas. The easily broken-down needles will become a natural compost which adds other nutrition into the soil. The layer of pine needles will also help with water retention. Pine needles make for a great mulch that provides your garden with not only aesthetic, but nutritional benefits. Refreshing the layer of pine needles as often as twice a year will help your beds remain weed-free, sufficiently moist, and well-fed.  As homeowners who take pride in our landscapes, we naturally want to do what is best for the plants that inhabit them. One piece of advice that is often repeated is not to mulch right up to the base of a shrub. In search of a deeper understanding, you may ask yourself, “Why is the mounding of mulch along the base of shrubs harmful?” There are a few important reasons why this practice is not recommended.
Will it really harm my shrubs? The answer to this is yes, mulching right up to the base of a shrub is harmful and will eventually cause a decline in the health of the plant. Factors such as oxygen deprivation, water retention, and root growth are responsible for this being a bad practice. Why is the mounding of mulch along the base of shrubs harmful? Mulch is very effective at retaining water and keeping weeds down. An even layer (3” maximum) is beneficial to the main root mass of a shrub for these reasons. However, this tendency to retain water may cause problems when mulch is mounded against the base of a shrub. Excess Water Retention-Since mulch exhibits great water retention properties, the inside of a mound of mulch may not dry out in between rain, irrigation, or other waterings. This causes a perfect environment for weakening the protective layers of bark at the base of the shrub. The base of the shrub needs to have access to oxygen, and a waterlogged mound of mulch against the base will reduce the amount that is accessible to the plant. Disease-Many disease-causing bacteria and fungus can thrive in a moist environment. When the base of the shrub is encapsulated in this soggy mound for long enough, the protective layers of bark may die back. This will leave the plant susceptible to all of the bacteria, fungus, and insects that may have been thriving within the mound of mulch. Excess Root Development-As stated earlier, mounding of mulch against the base of a shrub is harmful in part due to the decreased availability of oxygen. One side effect of this is the base of the shrub sending roots into the pile of mulch, seeking a proper environment for the intake of oxygen. A tell-tale sign of over mulching is a mass of these roots formed at the bottom of a shrub. What’s worse, is that when a shrub forms these roots and then the mulch-mounding practice is corrected, these roots will die off which will harm the overall health of the tree. Avoid Killing your Shrubs and Plants For the health of your beloved shrubs, avoid mounding mulch at all costs. Mounding of mulch along the base of shrubs is harmful to the plant, and will contribute to its decline and ultimately its death. A good rule is to leave a few inches of space between the base of the shrub and the layer of mulch. This will ensure that the base of the shrub is able to perform its duties in balancing the oxygen and moisture intake of the plant. Hiring an expert to help maintain and improve your yard can help you avoid small but lasting mistakes such as mulch mounding. If you have invested in your yard and want to be in safe hands, we can help you keep it as healthy and beautiful as possible! Call Today so we can properly prepare your yard for spring!  If you have garden beds on your property, you are likely familiar with the use of mulch in some way or another. A layer of mulch can have several benefits for your soil and plants. These include keeping weeds down, aiding in water retention, and adding an element of visual appeal to your property. Perhaps you have already added mulch to your beds for one of these reasons. If so, you may eventually ask yourself this question: How long will mulch last? The answers can vary depending on the type of mulch, climate, and other factors. That said, it is recommended that homeowners renew the mulch in their beds about once a year.
Factors influencing longevity of mulch As previously mentioned, many factors can come into play when trying to determine how long mulch will last. Let’s examine these: Type- Mulch comes in many varieties, and some last longer than others. Bark mulch will last longer than shredded mulch, as the bark is the tree’s natural protective shell. Shredded mulch contains the inner portions of the tree and will break down more readily. Climate-Your local climate can affect the mulch layer in several ways. An area that experiences frequent heavy rains may present a challenge for keeping the mulch in the bed. This will also be affected by the topography of the bed. On the other hand, an unshaded bed that is constantly baking in the hot sun can require more frequent mulching, as the sun speeds up the natural processes that break down the mulch. Landscaping Practices-Another factor that may play a role in how long mulch will last is the care used in regular bed maintenance. When trimming, weeding, raking, and cleaning up, you will want to leave as much mulch in place as possible. Mulch that ends up with trimmings or weeds in the compost pile is money down the drain. Getting the most out of your mulch How long your mulch will last will come down to the environmental factors at play as well as your own habits in maintaining and protecting your mulch layer. A well-maintained bed with proper watering and landscaping practices will keep your mulch layer in great shape for at least a year. A regular practice of replacing the old mulch each spring will keep your garden beds healthy and beautiful throughout the growing season. This will help keep weeds out and water in. Some may prefer to change the mulch twice a year, using two thin layers of mulch as opposed to one thick layer. This can be a great idea. First, you will be renewing the beauty of the bed in the spring, while adding a fresh weed barrier to endure the growing season. Second, renewing the mulch layer again in the fall can protect your dormant plants from extreme temperatures. This will also help prevent the mulch from breaking down, as there will be newer mulch more often. Last Thoughts When considering how long your mulch will last, many of the influencing factors can be controlled by you. There is no one size fits all answer, but there are ways that you can get the most out of your mulch layer. A great landscaping team can steer you in the right direction, while considering your specific needs. The quick answer is no! Landscape fabric should only be used in certain situations. The cons of landscape fabric outweighs the pros which is why for most cases we do not recommend the use of landscape fabric under mulch.
First of all, you might be wondering, what is landscape fabric? Landscape fabric can be found at your local lawn & garden store in rolls that are at least 3 feet wide and up to 200 feet long. The fabric is made either as a solid sheet with holes or woven fibers. The purpose of landscape fabric is to create a barrier between the soil and mulch and prevents weeds. It is also used to retain moisture. Sounds great, right? Ultimately, landscape fabric ends up causing more harm than good. Landscape fabric retains moisture, which sounds great, but it actually encourages poor drainage and creates a perfect environment for mold & other disease to thrive. The barrier can cause earthworms to die. Earthworms aerate & keep soil healthy, but when they are unable to reach the surface for air to survive, they die & that causes the soil under the fabric to become unhealthy. Also, because of the barrier, the nutrients from mulch, pine needles & leaves are unable to reach the soil below. Weeds can also still grow. Instead of growing to the surface, they root onto the landscape fabric. Also, a big con of landscape fabric is how hard it is to remove. Especially if it has been there for a long amount of time and weeds have rooted to the fabric. Because it isn’t made from an organic material, it will never decompose so it will need to be physically removed. However, there are two instances where we do approve of the use of landscape fabric. River Rocks & Septic Tanks. While the fabric should never be placed OVER your septic system, it can be placed AROUND your septic system. If you cover over, it could reduce air exchange & cause retention of excess moisture. The other exception is when laying river rocks. Weeds are less likely to grow in rocks and the landscape fabric provides a barrier. However, if you’re planting anything amongst the rocks, make sure to leave plenty of space around the plants landscape fabric free so that nutrients & earthworms can still reach the soil! If you have any questions, we are always happy to help! Give us a call at (864) 275-2039! By: Hannah Raines Copyright ALL Outdoors 2022 While it might feel like spring in the Upstate this week, winter is here! It won't be long before those cold fronts start coming through. Is your lawn ready for the cold temperatures? Below are a few tips that could help you prepare your lawn when the temperatures drop!
If you have any questions or concerns, drop us a comment, send us a message, or give us a call. We will be happy to answer any of your questions! By: Hannah Raines Copyright ALL Outdoors 2021 Laying mulch is one of those things that people rush into in the spring. You don’t want to lay mulch too soon!
First, let’s back up to mulch’s purpose. Mulch is meant to help protect a plant’s root system. It helps protect by adding nutrients to the soil and also helps slow down the erosion of topsoil. In the winter, it helps insulate from the cold weather. In the spring, most homeowners are applying mulch to help control and kill weeds in their flower beds. If mulch is laid too early in the spring, it will actually slow down the natural warming process of the soil. That is why you need to wait until mid-spring. Many want to lay mulch as soon as there is one warm afternoon. This isn’t beneficial. The ground needs to have a few consistent warm days to make the soil warm. If mulch is laid too early and/or too thick, plants may not be able to grow through the mulch layer. If mulch is laid too thick, it is also possible that a plant will have it’s main root growth within the mulch layer instead of the ground and this creates a shallow root system. It is important to let the plants get a head start. Once you see a sign of where your plants are going to come up (even if it’s just a peek), it is okay to mulch that area. Before mulching, it is also important to rid the area of weeds. A layer of mulch will help prevent a large amount of weeds from sprouting back up. Another thing to take into consideration before weeding is where the spot you are mulching is located. If the area is at the bottom of a hill or slope, you may need to put a heavier variety of mulch here so that it isn’t washed away by run-off water. Mulching in the spring is a great idea. Not only does it add curb appeal to your lawn, it helps prevent pesky weeds and protects your plants. As always, we are here to help, (864) 275-2039! By: Hannah Raines Copyright: ALL Outdoors 2021 Winter is one month away and it will be here before you know it! We have already seen chilly temperatures in the upstate with lows in the twenties. While the lows have warmed up this week, the cold temperatures are sure to be back again. Let’s make sure that your lawn is prepared!
If you have any questions or concerns about your lawn, drop us a comment, send us a message or give us a call. We will be happy to answer any of your questions!
By: Hannah Raines Copyright ALL Outdoors 2019 Fall has officially arrived and the leaves are finally starting to slowly change color and fall to the ground. Before you know it, your whole yard will be covered! Many people are unsure of what to do with this abundance of leaves. Usually in the fall, you see neighborhood streets lined with garbage bags filled with raked up leaves. However, there is so much more that you can do with the leaves!
Leaves are full of nutrients, so they can definitely be put to good use! However, don’t let leaves just sit on top of your lawn. If too many leaves pile up, they can block out air and sunlight from reaching the roots of your lawn. It is even worse if rain is added to the mix. Rain causes the leaves to be matted and if this is left too long, it can cause turf diseases to develop. The quickest and easiest way to take advantage of the leaves’ nutrients is to mulch them into your lawn. Most mowers have mulching blades that cut up the leaves into tiny pieces that settle in your lawn. These ground up pieces will decompose and provide free and all-natural food for your lawn! Leaves can also be used to protect plants. Adding a layer of leaves will help insulate, adding protection from the cold weather and helping your plants be healthy when spring comes along. You can also use leaves to prepare for your next garden. If you have an area that is typically a garden bed, pile the leaves over this soil. By time spring comes, the leaves will be partially decomposed. You can then till the decomposed leaves into the ground and have healthy soil for your garden. Similarly, if you have a compost bin, you can add the leaves in there as well! If you have any questions or concerns about your lawn, drop us a comment, send us a message or give us a call. We will be happy to answer any of your questions! By: Hannah Raines Copyright ALL Outdoors 2019
which is beneficial to the plants, especially if the winter temperatures are unpredictable. If there is a warm spell, the layer of mulch will prevent the plants from blooming. This is beneficial, because as soon as it becomes cold again, the plants will die, if they aren’t protected. To prepare for winter months, mulch should be used on anything that may need protecting from the harsh winter temperatures. This includes, trees, shrubs, gardens, flowerbeds, and any other permanent yard plants. Mulch is also a great way to prevent erosion during the winter months. Our winters in the upstate are unpredictable and the temperatures are always fluctuating. When the temperatures change, it creates movement in the soil, so mulch is a great way to keep it a steady temperature and protect any erosion caused from the changing temperatures. It even helps protect any beneficial creatures living in the soil, such as earthworms.
If you have any questions or concerns, drop us a comment, send us a message, or give us a call. We will be happy to answer any of your questions!
By: Hannah Raines Copyright ALL Outdoors 2018 |
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