Mulch or bark can be applied to your garden or flower beds any time of the year. Winter, however, is one of the best times to consider cleaning out your beds and applying mulch. With leaves already fallen, and the first frost out of the way, a winter cleanout is exactly what your yard needs to come back happier and healthier next spring.

The steps for applying mulch can be a somewhat tedious process. It is important to remove all debris from the beds. If there are plants that will not return, make sure to remove them. Once the beds have been thoroughly cleaned out, mulch can be applied. Mulch should be applied up to 3 inches thick. Ensuring you have a thick layer of mulch is important to achieve proper coverage. Too much mulch can be a breeding ground for mold, fungus, and pests.

There are several benefits to adding mulch around your property at different times of the year. During the winter months, it can a most beneficial to help with insulation, moisture, keeping weeds at bay, and fertilizing the soil.

Insulation:

Mulch helps to insulate your plants. Winters in the Pacific Northwest have proven to be harsh on plants with cold to freezing temperatures. Adding a layer of mulch for insulation protects your plants and their roots from any devastation winter can bring. Keeping your plants safe through the winter will aid them in flourishing the rest of the year.

Moisture:

Dry soil tends to become colder than moist soil. Mulch or bark can help retain proper moisture levels to help regulate the soil temperatures. A mulched bed will also retain moisture during the warmer season, slowly releasing water into the ground, and giving your pants a much-needed drink.

Weed Barrier:

Depending on the thickness of mulch applied, mulch or bark helps fight the rampant growth of weeds. The job of mulch is to block sunlight and air from reaching the depths of the soil. Applying a thick layer of mulch will help to protect against germination and the spread of undesirable weeds. It also helps make your workload less when it comes to weeding during the spring and summer months.

Natural Fertilization:

As the mulch sits in your landscape beds, it begins to decompose. Organic mulches contain shredded or chipped bark, grass and yard clippings, composed mature, and more making it the perfect mixture to add nutrients back into the soil as it releases its moisture back into the ground.

Give us a call and we will help get you all set up with the perfect mulch for your yard.