What is mulching and why does it matter?
Waking up in and walking outside to some cool morning air is such a relief after this scorcher of a summer! Referring to the farmers almanac, it is expected to be an uncomfortably cold winter this year so we should plan how to take care of our woody plants. This week we will talk about the importance of mulching and doing it properly. Mulching is easy to do and the upside greatly outweighs the cost of actually doing it.
What is mulch and why does it matter? You say mulch properly, is there an improper way to mulch something? I haven't mulched my plants before, so why should I do it now? These are all very good and relevant questions that I hope we fully answer in this column. Mulch is any material that is spread or laid over soil and used for a covering. Mulch is used to retain moisture, block undesired weed growth, insulate root zone by regulating soil temperature, as well as creating a nice attractive look for your garden or landscape. You will find both organic and synthetic materials used commonly, but I always suggest using organic mulch because it's best for adding beneficial nutrients to the rootzone. The drawback is that it doesn't fully block undesirable weed growth, only suppresses. Synthetic mulch is best for blocking undesirable growth, retaining water at the root base, and lasts significantly longer though it does not contribute to the nutrients of the soil. Mulching is done both in spring and fall. Fall is a good time to mulch because we need to plan for rainy, cold weather and conserve moisture while our woody plants go into their dormant states. Spring, which we will cover at a more appropriate time, is where we want to kick start our metabolism and get a good jump on the weather taking full advantage of the longer days, warmer weather, and refreshing rains.
Throughout this column we will be referring to organic mulch. It is important to look at your landscape or garden area and consider what plants are present. Similar mulch to the plant you are mulching is ideal. Pine straw around pine trees, chipped oak around oak trees, chipped pecan around pecan and hickory trees, etc. Obviously, that isn't doable for everyone and so we default to store bought bagged mulch or mulch by the scoop at your local farm supply store. The reason for similar mulch is that when the mulch breaks down, it releases nutrients that the woody plants need and is most relevant to the variety of trees. Going back to personal preference when buying mulch by the scoop or by the bag, I don't particularly care for dyed mulches. I don't think there are any significant drawbacks, but I am more of an arboriculture purist and enjoy a natural look. Banks and shopping centers seem to use the bright reds as a beacon for all the wonderful sales and savings they're sure to be offering. Often used too is black mulch. Wood chips are abundant, ask your local arborist! Rest assured; they have plenty they want to give away!
Mulch volcanoes are the common joke, just like improperly trimming crepe myrtles is called crepe murder. Mulching is simple and today you will look up after finishing this column knowing how to be a mulching expert. First things first, resist the temptation to go cheap. Don't spread it to thin because you don't want to buy one more bag or use another scoop. Like my high school English teacher said (though using it in different context) Mulching needs to be like a skirt, it needs to be long enough to cover the subject but short enough to keep it interesting. Mulch should be approximately 3" thick and evenly dispersed around the woody plant out to the drip line. If you don't want to mulch out that far, such as a majestic live oak with an enormous canopy, you should mulch out at least five feet. This is important, when you come close to the base of the trunk, make a donut hole around the trunk. This is so important and widely forgotten or unknown. The buildup of mulch around the base of the tree, the "mulch volcano" can cause an excessive amount of moisture to decay the trunk or root flare. Pull the mulch away from the base about six inches or so. Right now, you have your tree properly pruned, you've applied your mulch to the drip line, and you've made sure to pull the mulch away from the base. Stand back and admire your work, you did a good job.
If you need help or want our arborist to come look at your trees or even to visit, give us a call. Our arborist likes to talk and look at trees, so it's a great fit. Call our office at 985-839-2637, 985-205-4093, or find us on Facebook, One-Call Saw Works. We want to be a resource for the community and give free estimates. Please don't hesitate to reach out. See y'all next week and keep those questions coming!
