Organic landscape mulch is a very popular material for Central Florida homeowners, and with good reason. It is basically easy to use, it makes your landscape look amazing, it is affordable and easily available. Buyer beware, most landscape mulches may look the same, but they are not made the same.
True or False:
When wood mulch is used around structures and in landscapes they can become a fire hazard.
The fact is, organic, textured wood chip mulches are known to be the least flammable of the mulches.
Followed by fine textured mulches. The most hazardous mulch tested was rubber mulch.
True or False:
Wood mulches will cause deficiencies in plants because they tie up nitrogen.
Research has shown, time and time again, wood mulch increases the nutrient levels in soils and the plant foliage associated with it.
True or False:
Wood mulch will attract pests, such as carpenter ants, termites, and others.
Just the opposite is true. Wood mulches actually resell insects instead of attract them. For example, some mulch produce thujone, which actually repels odorous house ants, carpet beetles, termites, cockroaches, and clothes moths. Generally, cardboard is preferred by termites over wood chips.
The physical and chemical diversity of organic mulch resists compaction. The decomposition rate and size creates an environment that is more diverse. Which is then colonized by a vast and complex community soil biota, essential for sustainability.
This sustainable ecosystems is less likely to succumb to environmental stress. Such as extreme temperatures and drought.
“Landscape mulches are increasingly recognized as pivotal components of environmentally sustainable gardens and green spaces. Select the right mulch and you reap the benefits of healthier soils and plants. Choose the wrong mulch and the only plants that thrive are the weeds,” according to Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott from Washington State University,
