Mulching – A Buyer’s Guide

 

Mulch has become a very popular product among those who wish to keep their gardens and landscapes in good condition, especially in the dry Arizona climate. Without mulching your garden, you may find yourself constantly having to water and weed your garden and plants, which is only one of the benefits that comes with spreading this material out all over the surface of your soil. Our guide below goes into important questions Arizona residents may have, like what is mulch made of, and how does it help gardeners?

 

Reasons to Use Mulch

 

Mulch serves a few different purposes that will prove to be important to your landscape. First, it acts as a soil insulator to keep the roots of plants cool in the warmer months and warm in the cooler months. Second, mulch is a moisture retainer, meaning it stops the evaporation of water from occurring by protecting the soil from the sun. It also decreases the amount of water run-off that ensues during heavy rain or watering. The ability to retain moisture will save you time and money since much less water will need to be added to your Arizona desert landscaping. Third, you’ll get the advantage of having a weed suppressor when you apply mulch. Since weeds are deterred from growing, plants are allowed to soak in more nutrients without having to fight the weeds for space and sunlight. Finally, mulch is also a soil enhancer, adding valuable organic matter for healthier plants.

 

What is Mulch Made of?

 

There are many types of mulching materials that can be used. The kind you choose will depend largely on the weather conditions in your area and where you plan to apply it. Mulch Phoenix citizens have available to them can be either organic and inorganic and will range in price. Some of the more popular mulch options include grass clippings, wood or bark chips, compost, straw, peat moss, decaying leaves, hay, decomposed granite, gravel or stone, rubber, tumbled glass, and landscape fabric.

 

Mulching Your Arizona Garden and Landscape

 

It’s generally recommended that areas you plan to mulch be cleared of all grass, leaves, and weeds beforehand. Then, layer the mulch about three inches deep to ensure a sufficient covering. It’s essential to keep in mind that when mulching, the material should be applied a few inches away from plants and tree trunks so as not to cause any rotting. Spring and fall are generally the best times of year to assess whether or not your yard is due for mulch replenishment.

 

As Arizona desert landscaping experts familiar with local Arizona plants and weather, we are well-equipped at New Image Landscape and Pools to help you find the kind of mulch Phoenix and Arizona residents need that will produce the best results for your garden and landscape.