Now’s the Time to Mulch and Here Are Some Options [Video for Exmark]

If your yard looks like mine did last week…it’s time to get to mulchin’! I can say that so easily because I mulched this past weekend!!! Woopwoop!

Not only will a fresh layer of mulch help make your yard look all nice and purdy, mid to late spring is the perfect time to mulch before the temps get so hot that they will parch the soil and leave your plants very thirsty.

A few weeks back I did a post on the basics of planting plants…that was complemented by a video I did with Exmark — the lawn mower manufacturer of all lawn mower manufacturers (see below for more on Exmark). Well this post benefits from the same deal…an informative, complementary video. Both are part of the 6-part Exmark ‘Done-in-a-Weekend’ video series.

As I referenced above, in addition to beautifying your outdoor spaces, mulch also plays a vital role in controlling weeds and managing soil moisture in your planting beds. So although you may want to skimp on mulch, in the long run you’re better off…from both a time and financial perspective…to go ahead and bite the bullet and invest in mulch. Again…mulch just makes everything look that much better too.

There are a ton of mulching options to choose from…but don’t let that overwhelm you. To determine which is right for you, simply think in terms of functionality, aesthetics, and budget. Below you’ll find a write-up on some of the most popular mulching options.

Pine Straw

Pine straw is popular where I live…in the Atlanta area. One of the primary reasons is that compared to the other mulches you can buy, you get the biggest bang for your buck with pine straw. Also, given that we have a ton of pine trees, using pine straw will not only appear natural, Mother Nature helps foot the mulching bill.

In addition, since pine needles are lightweight installation of pine straw is easier than most other options. Lastly, with their interlocking qualities, pine straw also tends to stay in place in heavy rains better than some of the other mulches — making them a great choice for sloped beds.

All that said, some people just don’t like the look of pine straw. And good for them there are other options to consider. So keep reading.

Hardwood & Dried Wood Mulch

Hardwood mulch is another popular option to consider. I find that most of my clients who choose hardwood mulch over pine straw do so simply because they like the look of it better. The added bonus is that it’s a better weed and moisture barrier than pine straw. One of the primary downsides to hardwood mulch is that it can be more expensive.

Dyed wood mulch is another option that many people choose—primarily because there are several colors to choose from. But I have to warn you, although the dye used to color this type of mulch isn’t toxic, some dyed wood mulches are made from recycled wood that may contain additives that are toxic…like pressure treated wood. And that’s not good. That said, just make sure that the mulch you choose is made from raw wood vs. recycled wood.

Another ding against dyed wood mulch made from recycled wood is that it contains very little nutritional value…which is one of the primary reasons to invest in mulch…the health of your plants.

Cypress Mulch

Cypress mulch is another attractive, organic option. It’s naturally more insect repellent and fungus resistance than other options. Cypress mulch also tends to stay put, is easier to walk on, and lasts longer than other mulches. It’s for those reasons that I typically recommend it around play sets and other wooden structures.

Pine Nuggets

Pine nuggets are another great mulching product to consider. Like other organic mulching options, pine nuggets enrich the soil as they break down…which is great for your plants. They are also easy to install and come in various sizes, from mini to jumbo…giving you more options to choose from. The biggest downside to pine nuggets is that they’re prone to float away in heavy rains, which makes them less than ideal in sloped beds.

I often use pine nuggets in annual beds — annual beds are typically flat, pine nuggets serve as a nice visual contrast, and as they break down they contribute to a nutrient-rich soil that the flowers love.

Stones Mulches

Although I rarely use them, stone mulches are popular in certain areas of the country. And in the right setting they can provide a unique, high impact  look to your landscape beds and borders.

Unfortunately, while they stay put and don’t break down, stone mulches can eventually sink into the soil, which will require fill-in applications. In addition, when leaf litter lands on other mulches it still looks natural, whereas with stones that’s not the case. So you’ll need keep the areas with stone mulch leaf-free to make sure it stays looking nice.

Lastly, it can also be difficult to add plants in and around stone mulches, and they’re less effective at maintaining soil moisture in sunny areas due to the warmer soil conditions they create, which leads to increased evaporation.

There you have it…a little goodie on mulching options. Although the ones I described above are some of the most popular, there are many more…grass clippings and shredded leaves are 2 other very inexpensive and environmentally conscious mulching options, for instance.

So which much is right for you depends on your budget, what else is going on in your yard, and your personal preferences. Regardless, adding mulch to your landscape beds really is a must from both a design and functional perspective (i.e., plant health).

 

So what kind of mulch do I use in my yard? Pine straw.

Why? I’m cheap…we have a ton of pine trees in our yard, so it looks natural…I like the look of pine straw…and I prefer working out with something other than bags of mulch or rocks.

But again, fortunately there are other options…and hopefully this post and the video helped you figure out which is best for you.

And if you liked the video, make sure to check back in over the next few months for posts on the other Exmark ‘Done-in-a-Weekend’ project videos. Or if you want to check out the videos all at once, go to WeAreExmark.com.

Happy Mulchin’ Friends,

 

 

About Exmark: If you’ve never heard of Exmark, they are the premier lawn mower company…making the most innovative, comfortable, durable, reliable and highest quality mowers on the market today. Historically they’ve lived in the commercial mower space…but they are now offering a line of mowers for homeowners who have a couple of acres or more of land. So if that’s you…that means you get to benefit from all the bells and whistles and advancements that the pros have enjoyed. To learn more,  check out these videos on Exmark’s YouTube channel.