Spring is here and that means it’s time to set our sights on the great outdoors. Spring cleanup season is upon us and soon we’ll be enjoying the warmer days by planting, seeding, fertilizing and mulching to get ready for the summer.
Mulching is not only for aesthetics, it performs a vital function for your plants. It reduces weeds, maintains soil temperatures and moisture, plus it looks beautiful. It comes in all different shapes, sizes and colors.
Here are a few tips for choosing the right mulch for your landscaping needs.
Know Your Options
First, decide what mulch will fit your needs. Choosing the right mulch can be tricky. You have several options. Consider what type of material to use, what color suits your landscape and how much mulch you’ll actually need.
You’ll also need to decide whether you want to purchase your mulch in bags or in bulk. Bulk is cheaper but there’s usually a minimum order. If you’re just mulching a few beds or pots you may want to opt for bags. If you have large flower beds or a lot of large plantings of shrubs and trees, bulk might be a better choice.
Let’s look at some of your options for type and color.
Hemlock: Hemlock mulch has an attractive red/orange tone and helps to repel some insects. It adds rich luxurious color to your landscape. Hemlock is very aromatic. Like cedar and pine bark mulch, hemlock decomposes slowly so it will last an entire season.
Mixed Bark/Colored Bark: This is a recycled material usually made from brush and logs. Bark mulches break down quickly and have nutrients to fortify your soil. Natural colorants make this good for adding color to your landscape. Generally available in red, brown and black.
Pine: Pine bark mulch has a natural dark rich color and a pine scent. It decomposes slowly and is also relatively inexpensive. Pine bark mulch is a perfect soil conditioner for acid loving plants like hollies and azaleas.
Bulk or Bags?
If you don’t have a lot of mulching to do, several bags may be plenty. Bags usually contain around 2 or 3 cubic feet per bag. This is enough to cover approximately 24 square feet to a depth of 1-inch per bag.
Bulk mulch is sold in cubic yards and is typically delivered to your home, or requires a pickup truck to haul. One cubic yard will cover 162 square feet (13′ X 13′) to a depth of about 2-inches.
Whether you are buying bags or in bulk, make sure you check the quality of your mulch. High-quality material will offer consistent color and last for an entire season. If you buy in bulk, make sure that your supplier uses an industry-accepted measurement protocol to ensure that you get what you pay for.
At Old Station Outdoor & Landscape Supply we sell the highest quality premium mulch from Maine. It offers consistent color, 100% Canadian bark with no filler or waste debris ever used. All our mulch is dye-free, the only except being the black mulch. We provide our customers with fast and reliable delivery and accurate yardage.
Our professional, friendly staff can help you to make the perfect choice for your landscaping needs and we’re committed to providing the level of service you deserve. Plus, for every cubic yard of loam and mulch we sell, we donate $1 to a local charity. Call us today we’re always here to help you!
