Top-down view of seven yellow tulips and one white daffodil with green leaves, growing in a garden bed with soil visible between the plants.

A cacophony of bird songs filled the trees and permeated the air, serenading each bud and bloom in Spring’s warming embrace. Sleepy tulips sprouted forth, bravely stretching towards the vernal sun. The landscape was stirring, and our souls awakening in its midst.

A mulched garden bed with some green plants surrounds a tree, bordered by rocks, next to a white fence in a backyard with grass and more plants in the background.

Along with Spring Clean Ups and Lawn Renovations, we must turn our attention to one of the most important additions to the landscape. Mulch.  If you do nothing else this year, install or replenish mulch! It’s literally considered a work horse in the landscape and can quickly turn a tired, unkempt yard into a neat and aesthetically pleasing landscape, but that’s not all!

A shaded garden bed with small green plants beneath trees, bordered by mulch and surrounded by lush green grass near a house with a deck and brick walls.

Mulch helps maintain moisture and reduces evaporation; thereby, minimizing the need for supplemental watering and capitalizing on moisture that naturally falls to the ground. Mulch also helps control weeds by suppressing germination. It is also a great insulator and can improve soil aeration and drainage. Mulch can reduce the likelihood of damage from lawn mowers and weed trimmers by creating a barrier, and lastly, mulch helps give planting beds and tree rings a uniform and manicured look.

A large pile of brown mulch sits on a driveway, surrounded by green trees, grass, and a wooden fence in the background.

What exactly is mulch? Mulch can be defined as any material used on the surface of the soil, including organic materials such as wood chips, straw, pine needles, cocoa hulls, peat moss and lawn clippings. Inorganic mulches include river rock, shredded rubber, volcanic rock and synthetic fabrics. Organic mulches are preferred and more widely used. They are also more cost-effective, but the choice is ultimately yours.

A sunlit backyard with green grass, shade from a tree, plants along the fence, and a wooden fence surrounding the area.

How should mulch be used? Mulch should be spread at a depth of 2-4″. Not to exceed 6″. For trees, the larger the mulched area, the better, as it should reach, minimally, the drip line (i.e. the outer perimeter of the branches); however, never mound the mulch up around the base of the tree, also known as “volcanic” mulching. This can promote disease on the lower trunk as the tree’s bark is no longer exposed to air and light. The bark will begin to rot, and the tree can no longer protect itself from insects and disease. “Volcanic” mulching also promotes the growth of secondary roots which can encircle the trunk and choke off the main roots. This type of mulching won’t kill a tree immediately, but will lead to a slow, unnecessary death.

Irregular stone steps form a path through a mulched garden bed with ferns and other plants, leading to a porch with stairs and potted flowers. Trees and green grass surround the garden.

When should mulch be used? Almost any time is a good time, but many prefer to mulch or re-mulch in Spring. Reach out to Sweeney’s today, and let us provide and install that “cure-all”. You and your landscape will be glad you did!

Plant of the Week

A close-up of a bright yellow flower with fringed petals, blooming outdoors with green foliage and more yellow flowers blurred in the background.

Sand Coreopsis

Bright yellow, fringed flowers bloom atop tall stems amongst finely textured foliage May – July.  Prefers full sun and dry soil.  Grows 18-24″ tall and 18-24″ wide.  Attracts butterflies, pollinators, and other wildlife.  Drought tolerant.  Native.

“The naked earth is warm with Spring,
And with green grass and bursting trees
Leans to the sun’s kiss glorying,
And quivers in the sunny breeze.”
–Julian Grenfell

Well wishes,

Kim Sweeney