Mulching garden beds can make your home look polished and ready for a photo spread in a home magazine. Unfortunately, over time, the mulch no longer provides the pop of color and background for your plant life. Replacing the mulch too early is a waste of time and money, and waiting too long could hinder growth and allow weeds to take over quickly. Therefore, our Kingsport expert landscapers at Promier Landscapes share how often you should replace mulch in your Kingsport garden beds and which mulch type is best.
Why is mulch important to garden beds?
Mulch, whether organic or inorganic, can dramatically benefit your lawn, garden, or flower beds. Whether you enjoy the appearance of a perfectly sculpted landscape or prefer the benefit of weeding less often, mulch can make your home and garden maintenance easier. Our Kingsport landscaping experts share more benefits below that mulch can bring to your lawn and garden.
- Reduces soil erosion
- Helps prevent weed growth
- Maintains soil temperature
- Helps the soil retain moisture
- Keeps vegetables, fruits, and flowers clean
- Ads organic matter and nutrients to the ground
- Improves your home or business's overall aesthetic
- Protect plant roots from mowers and weed whackers
How often should you replace mulch?
Half the battle in preventing weeds from growing in your garden is knowing when to replace the mulch. Most mulch types found at your local gardening or retail store should last between one and five years. Of course, this varies among brands and the type of mulch that you choose. Our Kingsport landscape pros explain that you should check mulch at the beginning of spring to determine if it needs replacement. Some key indicators that it’s time for more mulch are fading colors, weeds emerging, or the mulch emitting a foul or musty odor.
Which mulch type works best?
There are several mulch choices at your local garden center or retailer, including organic and inorganic options. Our Kingsport landscape designers explain that there are pros and cons to both types, and the decision can rest on your preferences and overall garden aesthetic. Below are some details about both organic and inorganic mulching choices.
- Organic
- Pros
- Bark and pine straw can have a variety of colors like brown, red, and black.
- Organic matter is environmentally friendly and made from natural materials.
- The ground and plants surrounded by the mulch receive additional nutrients as the mulch decomposes.
- Cons
- Mulch must be refreshed every year or two due to decomposition.
- Maintenance is necessary when the weather causes shifts or gaps in the mulch coverage.
- Pros
- Inorganic
- Pros
- Replacement is not necessary as often because it can last around five or more years.
- Less maintenance is necessary since the mulch is mainly rock or plastic that’s not tarnished or moved by weather patterns.
- Cons
- No nutritional value passes from the mulch to the soil since there’s no decomposition.
- Plant life and the soil can suffer from poor oxygen levels when landscape fabric covers the garden bed.
- Pros
Which mulch type lasts the longest?
The best mulch for longevity is cedar mulch. This organic mulch decomposes slower than organic mulches and has a lifespan of four to seven years. On the other hand, most inorganic mulches like rocks or pebbles require less changing and maintenance. Therefore, our Kingsport landscaping experts advise homeowners to choose their mulch according to their landscaping preferences and maintenance schedule.
Landscaping company in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
Choosing the right mulch for your garden beds doesn’t have to be difficult. Although there are many available options, most mulches can provide the benefits you want, from a pleasing aesthetic to nurturing your plants. If you have questions about the best mulch for your lawn or want someone to make your landscaping and garden beds stand out, call our Kingsport landscaping company, Promier Landscapes, at (423) 872-2988 or contact us online.