Mulching in Chesterfield County
You have probably seen mulch everywhere in the urban and suburban jungles, but why? Mulch is actually a gift to gardeners and homeowners because it serves to protect their trees and plants and gardens and retain soil moisture. Grasshoppers Lawn & Landscaping specializes in mulching commercial and residential areas from just a few trees to a few acres.
Is Mulch Important?
Mulch is incredibly important because it imitates the plants’ and trees’ natural habitat. In a forest, the floor is covered in a layer of debris containing organic materials and natural organisms. As the organic materials decompose, they replace the nutrients in the soil and the natural organisms also help in the decomposition and replenishments processes. Mulch acts as a surrogates or substitute for this natural layer of debris. It helps foster nutrient replenishment and serves to protect plants from extreme environmental conditions.
What Are the Advantages to Mulching in Chesterfield County?
The first and foremost advantages is limiting the about of water lost through evaporation. However, mulch comes with a wide range of benefits for plants and trees. Here’s a list of some of the most helpful mulch advantages:
- Decrease the rates of weed growth and germination
- Decrease the rates of plant diseases and infections
- Shelter soil and plant roots from extreme temperatures
- Positive effect on soil biology, drainage, aeration and structure
- Maximizes soil fertility
- Decreases the risk of damage from garden tools such as lawnmowers and weed whackers
- Decomposition replenishes soil nutrients (organic mulches)
Are There Different Mulches?
Let’s talk about inorganic mulch first. The major pro for this category is it needs minimal maintenance and rarely has to be replaced. Unfortunately, these materials do not decompose or replenish the soil’s nutrients, so they aren’t usually the favorites. However, they do make for some striking landscapes and gardens. Common inorganic mulch materials include:
- Stones of many types
- Lava rock
- Plastic
- Fabric pieces
- Rubber
Organic mulch does decompose and replace important soil nutrients. The disadvantage is it does require more maintenance and regular replacement. You might not have to clean away debris since it decomposes, but you’ll still have to replace the mulch regularly. Normal organic mulch components include:
- Peat moss
- Bark chips
- Grass
- Straw
- Pine needles
- Wood chips
Should You Get Professional Mulching
Mulch can be a delicate process, because the layer must be the right thickness. Improper mulch laying can negatively impact your outdoor space and invite a host of problems into your flowerbed. To avoid the following common results of bad mulching, the professional route is the way to go:
- Nutrient deficiencies in the soil
- Root rot
- Overly wet soil
- Insect infestations
- Stress on the tress and plants
- Anaerobic soil
- Unbalance pH levels
- Toxic material build up
- Plant infections or diseases
Call Today to Get Started With Your Project
Don’t wait to protect your gorgeous trees and plants. Call Grasshoppers Lawn & Landscaping today to learn more about our mulch services and schedule your consultation. If you would prefer, fill out our quick contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon!