Learn how mulch helps plants and improves the health of your lawn and garden

You like the neat and tidy appearance mulching gives your garden beds. In fact, mulching is an essential aspect of landscape care that cannot be overlooked. Applying mulch to your garden beds is a surefire way to improve the health and appearance of your yard. Read on to learn how mulch helps plants, and other ways mulching can be your landscape’s best friend, when it’s done right.

The professionals at Manzer’s Landscape Design and Development are experts in all things lawn and garden, from installation to maintenance and general care. Call Manzer’s today to schedule your consultation and we can walk you through the fundamentals of mulching, from choosing the right mulch for your property to proper application and maintenance.

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How mulch helps plants

Mulch, whether synthetic or organic, helps to contribute to your lawn and garden health in several key ways.

Mulch helps improve water retention. Properly applying a layer of mulch to your garden beds will reduce evaporation rates, meaning you’ll need to water your plants less frequently. Plus, mulch helps plants better resist drought conditions. In the long run, this means less work for you — and healthier plants bringing color and vibrancy to your yard. This is one of the great ways in which mulch helps plants.

Mulch insulates delicate plant roots. As we’ve already described, mulch helps retain moisture around your plants, and when properly applied this leads to another way that mulch helps plants. By insulating plants against the temperature extremes of summer and winter, mulch is a shield against the elements. A fresh mulch application can be particularly helpful for protecting fall plantings during the cold winter months.

Natural mulches will improve your soil. A key way that mulch helps plants is by helping them stay healthy, and healthy soil means healthy plants. As natural mulches like wood and bark degrade, they release nutrients back into your soil. This can improve soil health and fertility, aeration, drainage, and overall structure. Ultimately, mulching can reduce the need for fertilizer applications in mulched beds.

Mulch controls weeds. Mulch is one of the best ways to naturally reduce weeds with minimal effort. A thick layer of mulch, approximately 2 to 4” deep, can effectively suppress most weeds resulting in less yard work for you. Better still, without the competition presented by weeds, your plants will have more nutrients at their disposal to grow bigger and stronger. Just one more way how mulch helps plants!

Mulch improves the curb appeal of your home. There is a wide range of mulches available on the market today, including naturally colored wood chips, stone and gravel mulches with muted tones, landscape fabrics, and color-enhanced bark mulches. A properly chosen mulch can add color and interest to your landscape while producing tidier, more manicured-looking garden beds, sure to turn heads and raise the value of your home.

Finding the best for your yard

Now you’ve got an idea about some of the ways how mulch helps plants. But which one is right for your yard? While there are many different varieties of mulch, they generally fall into one of two categories: synthetic and natural mulches.

Synthetic mulches include landscape fabrics as well as more permanent mulches like those made from rubber. Synthetic mulches excel at weed suppression and can be easier to apply and generally last longer than natural mulch.
Natural mulches include those made from wood chips, bark mulches, pine needles, and other organic materials. Natural mulches can be uncolored, or they can be color-enhanced for a more striking appearance to compliment your home and plantings.

Whichever mulch you choose, Manzer’s can help guide you through the process. With the assistance of our lawn care experts, you can rest assured knowing that your mulch will be properly applied for the health of your plants and the beauty of your home and landscape.

Call Manzer’s today at (914) 739-2020 our online contact form