There is no doubt, mulch offers many benefits for landscapes and gardens throughout Central Florida. Including beautification, erosion control, moisture retention, weed reduction, and soil insulation. Different types of mulch work better in different situation.
What type of mulch will help you reach your landscape or gardening goals?
“There are many materials that are used for mulching, each having different characteristics. When selecting the right mulch for the landscape, it is important to consider how you will use it. For permanent plants such as trees and shrubs, use organic mulches that persist for more than one season. On vegetable and flower beds, use organic mulches that breakdown in one season and are decomposed enough by the end of the season and can be plowed into the soil. In this sense, “organic” refers to materials that are plant based (bark, straw, wood chips, etc.). Materials such as gravel and stone are considered inorganic mulches” according to the University of Massachusetts Amherst The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment
Organic mulch is derived from trees, each variety has its own characteristics, size, odor, and color. They give a landscaping a natural, earthy look.
Pine bark mulch adds a professional look to your landscape. As it breaks down it adds acidity to the soil. Many plants thrive in this type of environment such as begonias, azaleas, caladiums, and gardenias. It is also lightweight and should not be applied where water can wash it away.
Cypress mulch is very popular for the beautiful aroma, deterring insects, and retaining its color. It gives landscapes a nice finished look and prevents weed growth. Cypress is also heavier than other mulches and doesn’t wash away as easily, it also won’t need to be applied as often.
Looking for a pop of color, red and chocolate mulch have an intense color, providing a good contrast for light colored vegetation and trees.
Purchase mulch in bulk gives you the most bang for your buck. Bag mulch can cost twice as much as bulk and you have the added convince of it being delivered to your home. Instead of going to the store and dragging them to the car and then unloading them once you get home.
Buying mulch in bulk also reduces the amount of trash that ends up in the landfill. Just think it takes 140 bags to cover 10 yards of mulch. When you add it up, buying in bulk can make a big difference in the environment.
Shopping at your local business helps the economy. Reliable Peat takes pride in excellent customer service. We have made buying mulch easier and more affordable! Our goal is to offer the highest quality products at the best price.
Don’t forget to check back with us next week for information about using rocks and stones.
