The Daffodils bobbed and swayed in the wind as their tilted heads seemed to seek refuge in the foliage, protecting their delicate splendor. Daffodils tend to remind me of wallflowers at a dance – constantly gazing down at their feet, afraid to make direct eye contact, demure and bashful.
We enter April with a bit of an acrid taste in our mouths. The weather has been nothing short of abysmal with the return of the polar vortex. This too shall pass, and Spring will carry on. Before you know it, it’ll be hot and humid, and we’ll long for these days. Well, I will long for these days.
Now that we’ve begun to clean and tidy our yards and perhaps even mow, it’s time we think about adding and/or replenishing the one constant that every landscape needs. It’s both functional and beautiful. It helps pull a landscape together with a “finished” look while maintaining soil temperatures, suppressing weed growth, exploiting moisture and mitigating its loss to the elements. It’s the panacea of the garden. It’s a must have in the world of must haves. Mulch.
Ok, so maybe you already knew the benefits of mulch, but did you know there are different types for different uses at different price points? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular and common mulch types:
Hardwood Bark – Nutrient rich, double shredded mulch made from the bark only. It’s dark brown and has a slightly sweet scent. Hardwood bark mulch is helpful in building the organic structure of soil. Best when used around trees and shrubs.
Hardwood Bark Fines – Nutrient rich, triple shredded mulch made from the bark only. It’s dark brown with a fine texture and a slightly sweet scent. Hardwood Bark Fines are especially helpful in building the organic structure of soil as its fine texture helps it break down faster. Best when used around perennials, flowers, and vegetable gardens. Can also be used around trees and shrubs.
Double Shredded Mulch – Made from all parts of a tree and double shredded, it’s dark brown with an earthy scent. Double Shredded Mulch is especially helpful in moderating soil temperatures, retaining moisture, and controlling weed growth. Best when used around structures, fence lines, and “right of way” areas. Can also be used around trees, shrubs, etc. This is a good, all-purpose mulch that is budget-friendly.
Triple Shredded Mulch – Made from all parts of a tree and triple shredded, it’s dark brown with a fine texture and earthy scent. Triple Shredded Mulch is especially helpful in moderating soil temperatures, retaining moisture, and controlling weed growth. Best when used around trees, shrubs, perennials, and flowers. This is a good mulch to use around plants that is budget-friendly.
Brown Dyed Mulch – Made from all parts of a tree that is dyed with an EPA approved product that is safe for people, pets, and plants. It is dark brown with no discernible odor and seems to hold its color well. Brown Dyed Mulch is helpful in moderating soil temperatures, retaining moisture, and controlling weed growth. Best when used around structures, fence lines, and “right of way” areas. Can also be used around trees, shrubs, etc. This is a good, all-purpose mulch.
Red Dyed Mulch – Made from pallets that are dyed with an EPA approved product that is safe for people, pets, and plants. It is red with no discernible odor that seems to hold its color well. Red Dyed Mulch is helpful in moderating soil temperatures, retaining moisture, and controlling weed growth. Best when used around structures, fence lines, and “right of way” areas. Can also be used around trees, shrubs, etc. CAUTION: This mulch has a strong appearance in the landscape. Eyes are drawn directly to the red mulch and away from plants, etc.
Michigan Cedar Mulch – Made from all parts of a Michigan Cedar tree, it’s light brown with a coarse texture and a very pleasant “cedar chest” scent that seems to hold its color well. Michigan Cedar Mulch is especially helpful in moderating soil temperatures, retaining moisture, and controlling weed growth. It is also reported to discourage insects. Can be used any where mulch is typically used.
*Did you know that 1 cubic yard of mulch will cover approximately 160 square feet at 2″ deep?
Of course, there are many more types of mulch, but these are certainly the most common and readily available. Contact Sweeney’s today with your mulch order. It’s an important addition to any landscape and is aesthetically pleasing as well. If you do nothing else this year, add or replenish your mulch. It’s one of the best things you can do for your soil, flowers, trees, shrubs, vegetable and perennial gardens while adding value to your property.
NEW FEATURE: Plant of the Week
Purple Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
Starry purple flowers bloom from May – September amongst succulent foliage. Prefers full sun and is drought tolerant. Grows in a low mat 3-6″ high and 18-24″ wide.
“A house with daffodils in it is a house lit up, whether or not the sun be shining outside.”
-A. A. Milne
Best wishes,
Kim Sweeney