Noe Valley Real Estate

The Basics of Mulching

After a strenuous day of work in the garden you can’t help but feel satisfied. The health benefits of gardening are well documented. A recent research by Loughborough University shows that gardening can have a positive effect on your mental and emotional well-being. The green grass and bright flowers help to create a sense of contentment. In order to achieve that refreshed feeling, use garden mulch to get that green garden look.

As well as a practical benefit Mulch has an aesthetic one too. For example, a chunky bark mulch can go a long way to improving the appearance of your garden. In terms of protection, mulch is a protective layer of material placed around plants and shrub. Mulch can prevent weed growth as well as serving as a barrier against harmful lawn mowers and weed eaters. Additionally, mulch can benefit soil by preserving moisture and sustaining cool temperature. The breaking down of the mulch is what improves the soil structure by adding nutrients.

Careful thought should be given when choosing a mulch to apply to your garden as each is different and should fit in with your exact requirements. For instance, some mulches, like pine needle mulch, can change the pH value of soil so they are best used on soils containing acid-loving plants. The application of mulch usually occurs around the start of each growing season. If necessary, additional mulch is applied throughout the period. But applying too much mulch can damage the soil and retain excess water. It is crucial that the soil is moist before applying, and to water when you are done. There is a selection of minerals to choose from, such as rubber chip, coloured wood chip, stone and slate chippings, it is probably fair to say that mulch’s versatility is why it is the preferred dressing for planted areas.