Again, fresh mulch may be just fine, but you want to ensure your plants have the best chance to thrive. Waiting some time will provide you with a better likelihood of success. Making and applying wood mulch is an easy process that many DIYers could tackle with ease.
Several research studies have shown there is no nitrogen depletion problem for established wood plants using fresh wood chips. If you are still concerned, you can let them age before using, but it is not necessary.
The general rule of thumb is to spread mulch about two to four inches thick over the soil surface. When mulch is too thick, it can be counterproductive and prevent water from reaching the soil. On the flip side, too thin a layer of mulch may not adequately stop weed growth or prevent evaporation as intended.
Do not install if rain is in the forecast. As noted above, you should try to find a window of no less than 48 hours of rain-free weather as critical drying time is needed.
It is organic and creates a soft, natural appearance. Bare feet do well on mulch, as do wheelbarrows or strollers.
Knowing how much mulch to use can be tricky. A 1-inch to 2-inch layer of fine mulch should be sufficient, while a coarser material should be 3 to 4 inches deep. Too much of either type can suffocate your plants. In areas where you simply want to keep anything from growing, you can lay it on as thick as you like.
In general, mid- to late-spring is mulching season; this is when the soil is warming up from the freezing temperatures it experienced all winter. Mulching too early will slow down the warming process, which the soil needs to do its job.
WATERING WITH MULCH
Now that you have planted and prepared your garden and added the necessary layer of mulch, watering should be very easy. At the beginning of the season, and for the first 3-4 weeks after planting, a deep watering that thoroughly soaks the garden will be needed at least once a week.
So, should you remove old mulch? Expert green thumbs contend that getting rid of last year's mulch is completely unnecessary. Mulch gradually breaks down, adding beneficial nutrients and other organic matter to the soil. Removing pre-existing mulch every year only ends up to be extra work and a needless expense.
Brown mulch is a neutral choice that many homeowners opt for. It can easily complement homes and gardens of all colors, helping both light and dark plants to appear more vibrant. If the elements of your home feature a variety of colors and shades, brown is a universal choice that can bring unity to your outdoor space.
There are several products that should never be used as mulch: sawdust, wood shavings and un-aged wood chips. As these materials begin to break down, they consume large amounts of nitrogen, depriving surrounding plants of this vital nutrient.
One of the best mulches to prevent weeds in your garden is wood chips, also known as wooden mulch. Wood chips, including graded fine bark or pine mulch, won't decompose as quickly as other mulch types, giving you a long-term solution to weed control.
Mulching is great for your lawn for a number of reasons. Whether you are mulching leaves or returning lawn clippings back into the lawn, mulching saves time, money, labor, and it is a great soil amendment. There is really no need for raking, bagging, or hauling away either leaves or clippings.
Not only do mulches conserve water and reduce the need for irrigation, they also moderate soil temperature, inhibit weed growth and, over time, improve the soil structure and health of plants. Mulch is an essential component of maintaining a water efficient garden.
If you're applying flower bed mulch or garden mulch to a planting bed you just seeded with flower seeds or vegetable plant seeds, wait for the plants to develop a bit before applying mulch. If you're planting live plants, you can add the mulch after you plant them.
Using a rake or gloved hands, smooth out the small mounds of mulch to the desired depth of 2- to 4-inches. Leave at least one inch between mulch and any tree trunks or plants so root systems have necessary space to circulate air and water, being careful not to suffocate existing plant growth.
The best option for mulching your landscape will depend on your preferences, budget, availability, plants, and more. But, generally, using organic mulch made from wood chips or bark will be the best choice.
The practical life-time of mulch can be anywhere from 4-7 years. This is how long it takes for a layer of mulch to completely break down, although it depends on a number of different environmental factors (e.g. in direct sunlight, covering very wet ground etc).
To smother the weeds and retain moisture within the soil, the layer of mulch needs to be at least 3 inches thick but no more than 3 inches or you could do damage to tree trunks and shrubs. Even two inches of mulch can let through enough sunlight allowing weed seeds to germinate.
How deep should I mulch? Mulch should be applied to a depth of 100mm. This will provide an effective weed suppressing layer and maximize moisture retention. Should customers wish to apply less than 100mm we recommend using Weedmat prior to mulching.
Total Width multiply by Total Length = Square Footage. Square Footage divided by 128 = The number of scoops of mulch needed to cover the area 2″ deep.