Here in Florida, when people think of a magical experience, they usually have Disney World in mind. And while things are pretty magical over at the House of Mouse, they miss some everyday magic right in front of their eyes.
Every day, on the streets of High Springs, Gainesville, and all the other Florida cities, mulch is out there doing its magic!
Now, it may not be magic in the form of pixie dust or fireworks, but mulch has so many benefits! If you are wondering what mulch can do, the answer is… A LOT! It is truly nothing short of magical!
What is mulch anyway?
Mulch is a layer of material to be spread over the soil. There are many different kinds of mulch. While most are organic, some are not. For example, rubber mulch is popular in some areas, and this is not organic. It does not break down to provide nutrients and functions more to protect the soil. You should not use rubber mulch in Florida due to our high temperatures. Using this material would cause your property to smell like burning tires! Pine straw, on the other hand, works well in the Florida weather. Mulch comes in various colors, with the standard options being red, black, or brown.
What can mulch do?
The question really is, what can’t it do? Some of the benefits of mulch include:
Mulch adds style.
So mulch style! (Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves. We will try to minimize the mulch puns.) All joking aside, mulch adds some serious curb appeal to any property. It increases the overall style and even the property value. If you think you may sell your home in the future, investing in its exterior is a must-do! When you add mulch, your landscape becomes more dynamic because it adds color and texture. This can attract the attention of potential buyers or jealous neighbors! The bottom line is: Mulch improves the entire look of your property.
Mulch prevents weeds.
Weeds are the absolute worst sort of uninvited guests for your property. They spread quickly and drain your desired plant life of all its water, sunlight, and much-needed nutrients. The result of a hostile weed takeover? Dead plants and an unhealthy-looking landscape. Weeds also ruin the neat appearance of your property.
By providing a layer of protection for the soil, mulch blocks weed seeds from taking root. If their seeds can’t penetrate the earth, the weeds can’t stick around! This fact alone makes mulch a precious asset to any landscape.
Mulch helps the soil retain moisture.
With the hot temperatures here, anyone can dehydrate. Your soil can too! The extra layer of protection stops moisture from evaporating and leaving the soil. It can also guard the soil from the sun’s intense rays. A loss of moisture can seriously affect the health of your plant’s ability to thrive.
Mulch prevents soil compaction.
If you have an area with high foot traffic, consider adding mulch. It can prevent the particles of soil from clumping together and killing your lawn or landscape.
Certain types of mulch can prevent pests.
While this is not true of all mulches, some can deter pests from taking up residence on your property. Blends of cedar or cypress contain a natural oil that pests tend to avoid. Since pests can attack your plant life, this is key.
Mulch restores nutrients to the soil.
Since mulch is a mostly organic material, over time, it breaks down. As this process occurs, needed nutrients are returned to the soil and absorbed by your plant life. The overall result is a thriving landscape.
With all of the benefits listed above, you can see why we said mulch is pretty magical. By now, you are probably ready to stop reading and start applying.
Resist the urge to add the magic of mulch to your property and keep reading. This next bit of information is crucial to a successful mulch application.
How do you apply mulch?
First, pour out a pile of mulch. Use your hands to spread it evenly to cover the soil. You should try to apply 2-4 inches of mulch, making sure it does not make contact with your plants or tree bark’s stems.
You don’t want too mulch of a good thing. (Sorry, we can’t stop!)
Yes, mulch is excellent for your property, but too much of it can cause a lot of damage. If it makes contact with your plants, it can lead to rotting, pest infestation, or disease. If you use too much, your soil could overheat, and your plants could suffocate.
Make sure you put enough mulch.
If you do not have adequate coverage, your efforts will be wasted, and this will leave your soil and plants without some much-needed nutrients.
When applying mulch, DO NOT:
- Apply to frozen soil. (So anytime is good for us Floridians!)
- Apply on a windy day. This can lead to an uneven distribution which could damage your landscape.
- Let mulch touch your plants. (We can’t say this enough!)
- Apply the mulch and make direct contact with your home. (This could lead to termite infestation if they can move quickly from your mulch to your home!)
DO call the professionals if you are not up for the job! The Premier team is proud to serve the residents of Gainesville, High Springs, Alachua, Newberry, and Fort White. We are here for all your mulching, lawn care, landscaping, and seasonal needs. Like the mulch we discussed today, our results are nothing short of magical!
We pride ourselves on fast and reliable services while still providing a personal experience to our customers! If you want to know more about how to help your Florida property flourish, check out our recent blog here, or call today for a free estimate! We are happy to help!
