Adding mulch to your flower and garden beds is a common practice in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington. Mulch, or bark dust, has many benefits especially as we approach the colder months of the year. Although mulch is generally applied in spring, there are some advantages to applying it in fall.
Protects Plants
Fall and winter are, obviously, often quite cold. These cold temperatures can have adverse and detrimental effects on your plants, especially younger plants that are less established. Adding mulch helps to insulate these plants against the colder months of the year. Furthermore, mulch helps to retain moisture. Moist soil actually freezes slower than dry soil, so moisture retention also helps keep the soil around plants from freezing, therefore, further helping to insulate your plants.
Protects Against Erosion
It rains incessantly throughout the northern portion of the Pacific Northwest; it is why our area stays so green throughout the rest of the year. However, heavy and constant rains can have negative effects on your soil, including soil erosion. Soil erosion is the washing out of the soil on your property. It can look unsightly and make caring for your plants even more difficult. Mulch helps to keep your soil in place and thereby fight against the erosion of your soil; mulch lessens the impact of rainwater on your soil, making it more difficult for water to break up your soil and carry it away.
Improves Aesthetics
Mulching improves the look and beauty of your yard. Even if you have just applied mulch in spring, it can begin to fade due to the sun’s rays that have shined upon it all spring and summer. Applying mulch in the fall ensures your garden and flower beds will look well-manicured throughout the fall and winter months. It also helps to define your beds and creates a more polished look in your landscape.
Weed Control
Another benefit of adding mulch in fall is that it gives you a head start on combatting the growth and spread of undesirable plants (weeds). Mulch inhibits and slows the germination process of weeds by blocking sunlight and air. Applying mulch long before the growing season ensures that these undesirable plants have less chance of germinating come springtime.
There is an abundance of variety when it comes to mulch, so you are bound to find something that matches your taste in style, color, and appearance. Mulching can be a slow and difficult chore, but Urban Eden Landscaping has all of the necessary tools and skills to take care of all of your landscape needs. Contact us today or fill out our FREE estimate request online today!