• Conserves Soil Moisture- allows water to penetrate soil and reduces evaporation, prevents erosion and drought injury, less time watering
  
• Reduces Weeds
  
• Regulates Soil Temperatures- keeps roots cooler in extreme heat and protects from winter injury
  
• Improves Appearance-defines and separates planting areas, defines different textures, attractive
  
• Prevents Soil "Crusting", allowing water to penetrate into the soil
  
• Adds Nutrients to Soil (Organic Mulches)- decomposed mulch provides nutrients for plants
  
• Creates a buffer zone between your plantings and your lawn – limits mower damage to plants and competition with turf

How to Apply Mulch

1. Install plants.
2. Apply a 2-4" thick layer once settled (Thinner for annuals/perennials).
3. Reapply on top of existing mulch as needed each year.

Use our Mulch & Soil Conversion Chart to determine how much mulch to purchase for your beds.

What to Avoid

• Too Thick- Mulch 6" or deeper (after settling) in plant beds may encourage root rot due to excessive moisture and poor aeration.
  
• Too Close to House- Mulch closer than 12” to the house may harbor termites and other insects.
  
• Mulching Poorly Drained Soils- Mulch tends to hold water and can increase your problem in this situation.
  
• Too close to Trees- Don't pile a heavy layer of mulch against the trunk.