Apply planting mulch

       January 1, 0000    1581

 

Mulch is a mixture of entire or shredded leaves, grass clippings, bark, compost, pine needles or peanut shells encircled around a plant on top of the ground for enriching the soil. It acts as a protective layer on top of the soil. Don’t apply mulch very close to the plant. Applying mulch in early spring retains moisture and checks weed growth. It is applied again in fall to choke weeds and maintain soil temperature. During summer, a mulched soil will be cooler than an unmulched one. In winter, a mulched soil will not freeze as much as an unmulched one. Mulch can be applied to annual flowerbeds, flowerpots, trees and shrubs. The depth alters from 2-6 inches. Partially completed compost can be used as mulch for ornamental plants, with 0.5 to 3 inches height, as well as food crops, with 0.5 to 1 inch height. New mulch is to be added on top of the previous mulch, which is getting decomposed. Excellent mulch is prepared from lawn clippings. Newspaper can also be used to control weeds.

Classification

As per the material used it is classified as organic and inorganic. Organic is prepared from grass clippings, bark chips and straw. They decay slowly providing nutrients. Inorganic from stones, plastic and brick pieces. They don’t have soil refining properties and are of a permanent nature. It is difficult to change them if the lawn plan requires to be changed. Some Accelerators are a superior mulch product. They have to be added while planting new grass. They hold moisture, which helps germination and applies a fertilizer for starting the grass plant.

Advantages

When we apply planting mulch rather than having an uncomposted groundcover, earthworms and other organisms move through it carrying the nutrients down in the soil. Also mulch helps to decrease weeds, as the ground being covered weeds don’t receive enough sunlight and keep soil temperature moderate, in summer bare soil may attain 120 degrees F but a mulched one upto 85 degrees F. Also mulch reduces water evaporation, checks soil erosion and reduces soil compaction. When trees are mulched the ground doesn’t get compacted and the tree trunk is not harmed due to mowing or weed eating. It gives a finishing view of the lawn.

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