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Mulching

Mulching is one of the most popular gardening activities. Mulch can control weeds, improve soil quality and moisture retention, provide nutrients for plants, and reduce erosion. 

Finger Lakes Tree & Landscape offers mulch in many different types, including black mulch, which contains highly decomposed bark chips rich in organic matter. Black mulch is an excellent choice for people looking for an attractive dark brown color on their beds or garden walkways. Mulch also comes in an unfinished version, which is wood chips that are not pre-colored or dyed. Mulching can be done by hand or with special mulching equipment like the Mulch King.

Types of Mulches & Mulching Techniques

There are many different types of organic mulches and ways to apply them. Here we will discuss a few of the most common mulching methods:

Wheel Mulcher: This machine is also known as a “mulch mower” or “mulching mower” and can be found at your local home and garden centers or landscaping companies like Finger Lakes Tree & Landscape. It has sharp blades that cut wood chips from larger diameter logs to create small wheel-shaped pieces. Depending on the wheel size, this type of mulcher can produce about 20 tons of mulch per hour, making it ideal for large projects such as commercial properties, cemeteries, etc. 

Edge Mulcher: An edge mulcher has powerful rotary blades that slice through the wood to create wood chips. These machines can be towed behind a truck or pulled by an ATV and are used on larger projects like commercial mulching, farms, etc.

Hand Mulcher: Mulch can also be applied manually with the use of a hand mulcher. Mulchers for this type of job are wheeled units that call for manual pushing and turning to chops up wood logs into small pieces. A hand mulcher is excellent for smaller jobs such as raising beds around trees, flower gardens, walkways, etc. It’s easy to use but is not suitable on steep slopes or large areas because it takes time to produce even application across your garden. 

Smooth Mulch: Applying smooth mulch over your garden beds can be done in several ways. If your ground is flat, the easiest way to lay down smooth mulches over your beds is by hand or with a wheeled hand mulcher. You can also use a mechanical spreader that lays out smooth material for you without applying it by hand. Applying smooth mulch over your garden beds can be done in several ways. If your ground is flat, the easiest way to lay down smooth mulches over your beds is by hand or with a wheeled hand mulcher. You can also use a mechanical spreader that lays out smooth material for you without applying it by hand.

How Much Mulch Do I Need for My Soil Surface?

Finger Lakes Tree & Landscape recommends applying a 2 to 4-inch layer of mulch for landscaping purposes. Organic mulches 2 to 3 inches deep tend to be lighter in weight and allow water and nutrients to penetrate more quickly into the soil while providing weed control. Mulches 4 to 6 inches deep tend to be heavier in weight, making them great for slopes, heavy traffic areas, or standing up against tree trunks where more enormous weeds could grow from the ground. Mulches should be applied, so they overlap each other by at least 1 inch, or you can place perforated landscape fabric underneath your mulch for weed control. Organic mulches come in various colors and sizes, so you can pick the perfect type for your next landscaping project!

Mulching can also be a great way to beautify a property while providing several benefits. Mulches give your yard a finished look, improve soil quality, better soil temperatures and moisture retention, provide nutrients for plants, reduce erosion, keep weed growth under control, enhance the appearance of flowers and shrubs, create an ideal growing condition for young trees and shrubs, add insulation against frost heave in colder climates, prevent certain types of fungi from forming on tree bark which helps prevent diseases such as Dutch Elm Disease, protect soil surface and roots during winter freezes by keeping ground frozen longer than if it were exposed, and more.

Benefits of Using Mulch Materials

Mulching is an essential landscaping practice to protect and conserve soil moisture and improve overall quality for both indoors and outdoors. Mulch materials can be organic or inorganic, but organic mulches such as hardwood bark, cypress mulch, pine straw, cocoa bean hulls (coir), coir fiber mats, and peanut shells are most common for landscape use. Mulches provide a variety of benefits, including:

Keeping Mulch In Place: Mulches should be applied 2 to 4 inches deep across beds with a slight slope away from tree trunks. Mulching help prevent erosion and keep them in place by covering up bare soil areas.

Preventing Weeds: Keeping weeds under control can be difficult because they proliferate and spread very quickly. Mulching can be applied around trees, shrubs, flowers beds, and vegetables to prevent weed growth.

Discouraging Insects: Mulches provide a physical barrier that prevents certain insects from living in the soil or attacking plants. Mulching under trees encourages beneficial insects and worms because they help improve your soil’s organic matter while eating other small insects.

Encouraging Good Soil Quality: Mulching helps improve the overall quality of good soils by creating an ideal environment for plant growth, improving water retention and airflow. Organic mulch also reduces footprints which can reduce soil compaction over time. Mulching come in many different types, so you can find one that is perfect for your next landscaping project!

Safety Considerations For Using Organic Mulches

Misusing mulch can lead to severe problems for your landscaping, including molds, diseases, and rodent infestations. Mulching with high acidity levels can cause damage to both the soil surface and plants. Mulching with high salt contents can also be very harmful to ornamental flowers. Mulches that are not adequately prepared or applied can wash away during a heavy rainstorm. Mulches should only be used as a soil surface cover and not as a ground cover because they inhibit plant growth if left in place for too long.

Mulching is an essential landscaping practice done to beautify properties while offering benefits such as weed control, improved soil quality, improved soil moisture retention, reduced erosion, enhanced appearance throughout the yard, insulation against frost heave, pest control, etc. improved tree health, and more. Organic mulch is an essential part of any landscaping project, so make sure you choose the right soil mulch for your yard.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

If you’re ready to start your next project, be sure to contact Finger Lakes Tree and Landscape today! Our team is here to help with any and all services and projects you need. Mulching is an essential landscaping practice done to beautify properties while offering benefits such as weed control, improved soil quality, improved soil moisture retention, reduced erosion, enhanced appearance throughout the yard, insulation against frost heave, pest control, etc. improved tree health, and more. Mulching come in many different types, so be sure to choose one that’s right for your next landscaping project! Call us today by calling us at 123-456-7890!