If you’re thinking about updating your Central Florida landscaping for the holiday season, mulch is essential. With so many on the market today, it is important to understand which mulch is right for your project.
Whether it is pine bark, chocolate mulch, cypress mulch, red mulch, stones, or rocks you are looking for to update your landscaping, Reliable Peat has quality products at an affordable price. Save even more with our special Fall discount, 10% off all bulk orders over 6 yards, just mention this blog before checking out.
The National Bark & Soil Producers Association explains the difference between wood and bark mulch
Any mulch with “bark” in the name must be at least 85 percent bark of that named tree. A “mulch” material, on the other hand, need be only 70 percent of the named material, and it may be either bark or wood. In both cases, the remaining 15 or 30 percent can be just about anything, but it is usually wood.
The primary difference is how long the mulch will last before breaking down. “Wood breaks down quicker and is more susceptible to insect damage and discoloring than bark,” explains Bob LaGasse, executive director of the NBSPA.
The National Gardening Association suggests using 3 to 4 inches of mulch each season. Around soft stemmed perennials and annuals use a 2 to 3 inch layer. Though a bark mulch can give a vegetable garden a revised look, but fine particle mulch decomposes faster and adds nutrients to the soil.
Areas prone to flooding, slopes, and pathways can benefit from stones, rocks, or a larger bark mulch. They don’t wash away as easily and won’t have to be applied as often
If you are thinking about doing a project with crushed concrete or any type of rock, make it easier by having the material delivered, you also can save a few bucks!
