Key Points:
- Mulching is an important way to keep your lawn healthy by the use of various mulches.
- There are two major types of mulches: organic vs inorganic.
- It will enhance the retention of moisture in the soil as well.
- Perform it in the right way to get the best results.
You visited your friend’s home and saw that their lawn was so healthy and fresh. While you imagined yours, it was nothing like that. You even asked them, and they didn’t tell you a specific reason. Now, you are overthinking how to do the same to make your garden look like theirs. But so far, you have been assuming, but you couldn’t get a fair answer. It’s like nothing has been working for you.
No more roaming around, as we are now here to help you with this. The biggest reason behind a lush and healthy lawn is doing mulching services correctly on time. Along with that, we’ll explain why it matters so much to grow your plants healthily. Let’s start exploring!
What is Mulching?
This is the technique in which a layer of material is spread on the soil’s surface to improve and protect it. Mulching is also very common in agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping. The materials that are used in this technique are called mulches. This can be wood chips, straw (organic), plastic sheets, or gravel (inorganic).
Mulching is done to save the moisture of the soil, increase its fertility, and make the overall appeal of the area better.
Why is Mulching Done?
After understanding the definition, let’s discuss why it’s important to keep your garden fresh. The most important thing is that it keeps the moisture of the plant retained by decreasing the evaporation from the surface. It’s very important for areas with intensive hot seasons. It also protects roots from harsh climate conditions by keeping the soil temperature moderate.
Not only this, but it also helps in fighting against the weeds by directly blocking sunlight from the weed seeds.
And if you are using the organic one, it will decompose over time and then provide the soil with the required nutrients in the future. This way, your soil will be more fertile to make the plants grow better.
Now, being a house owner, you understand how important it is to keep the property fresh. Keep reading this piece, as there’s still a lot to explore regarding this important technique.
Different Types of Mulch: Organic Mulch vs Inorganic Mulch
Now, various types of mulch have been introduced. Each of them has specific uses. Let’s have a detailed look at them:
Organic Mulch
Wood chips, straws, and compost come in this category.
These mulches are usually taken from plants and are of great importance because of their decomposition properties. If you want to enhance the moisture retention of the plants, wood chips and straws are best. And if you want to increase the fertility of the soil, compost is a great choice.
Inorganic Mulch
Stones, plastic sheets, gravel, and even fabric come in this category. Although they don’t decompose, they are still effective in their own way. They do provide long-term suppression for weeds and also protect the soil.
If you want to make the landscape more beautiful while doing the mulch on priority, too, stones and gravel are a good match. Plastic sheets and fabric are used in routine agriculture as they offer durability and help in better moisture retention, and can control weeds too.
Benefits of Mulching
- Retention of Moisture: Mulching uses the traditional technique to assist the soil in maintaining necessary moisture inside it by reducing the evaporation rate. There won’t be much need to water the plants afterward.
- Controlling the Weeds: Mulching can also offer several other benefits, including suppressing the weeds. It enables you to add a layer on the surface of the soil so that weeds do not get enough light to grow.
- Moderate Temperature: Mulching also shows encouraging signs in insulating the soil to keep the soil temperature in check, both in summer and winter seasons. Moreover, it also protects the soil from harsh climate change.
- Improve Soil Condition: Utilizing mulching also helps the soil to get the desired amount of nutrients with the use of organic matter.
- Prevent Erosion: It not only nourishes the soil but also prevents it from erosion by stopping drastic wind and rain effects.
- Aesthetics Appeal: We talk too much about the organic benefits of mulching, don’t we? It also adds so much beauty to your garden by keeping it clean, tidy, and helps you maintain it properly.
How to do the Mulching?
You have to do the mulching in a very professional manner. Because that’s how it’ll be more effective for the plants. There are certain steps to be followed. Let’s have a look:
Preparation of the Soil
You must first remove weeds in the field. Then you need to relieve the soil using a rake or hoe to enhance drainage.
Add a Layer
Then, add a thick layer of mulch 3-4 cm deep on the surface. It will make the soil smooth and level evenly.
Evenly Spread Around the Plants
Never do the piling of mulch against the base of plants or tree trunks, because this can cause rotting and spread to pest problems.
You can use a fork to dig into the top 15-20 cm of the surface. This will improve the soil structure.
Fill in as Required
If you use organic mulches, they’ll soon decompose. That’s why you’ll have to refill annually or whenever it’s needed accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Now that we have understood the basics of mulching in depth. We know why it’s really critical to maintain your lawn’s health. Doing mulching the right way offers good plant growth and soil protection. You’ll also get better weed control with mulching. No matter if you use organic or inorganic mulching, both offer benefits in their own ways.
Also, there’s a certain way to do mulching; if you do it in the correct way, you get the best soil moisture retention. If you require professional mulching services for your lawn, you can trust TG’s Landscaping for this. Contact us for further information!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the most suitable time to do this?
The best season to do it is spring, when the soil is warm and there aren’t weeds growing.
2. Is this technique good for grass?
Yes, it is good for grass. Using mowers will form the organic matter, which increases the soil fertility.
3. Do mulching services impact the growth of the plants?
Yes, it helps the plants to grow by creating an extra protective layer to save them from extreme climate conditions.
