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Mulch is a powerful growing tool that can help increase the spread and growth of a variety of different plants and trees. Unfortunately, it can also cause a problem known as root rot. Here is how homeowners can spread mulch properly to avoid this disease.
What Is Root Rot?
Root rot is a disease that affects just about any plant or tree and will quickly cause it irreparable damage. Once it starts, it will quickly spread across plants and trees in a garden and devastate as many as possible. It is typically caused by a fungal or bacterial infection that moves rapidly through roots and causes them to develop cankers, wilted leaves, and other serious symptoms. Once it develops, it is typically deadly.
How Mulch Contributes To It
While mulch is an important asset to any garden, it is one that can be problematic if used improperly. For example, excessive levels of mulch against a plant or a tree will cause an increased growth of bacteria at the roots. As this bacteria grows and spreads, root rot will begin to affect the plant. This disease will then quickly spread, particularly if the mulch is left against the tree.
As a result, it is important to understand how much mulch to spread in a garden. While professionals can do it and ensure just enough is spread, the average homeowner can actually calculate the right amount.
Spreading Mulch Properly
The key way of keeping root rot from occurring is to spread mulch to a proper thickness in a garden. This requires a simple calculation that figures out how many cubic yards are necessary to create a healthy level of mulch. A good level of mulch should be about 0.125 feet deep across the surface of the garden. Figuring out how to achieve this depth requires calculating the cubic footage of mulch necessary.
To calculate this formula, multiply the length of the area by the width and the depth. So if the garden is 20 feet by 35 feet, it would be necessary to multiple these two lengths and multiply the result by 0.125. The result would be 87.5 cubic feet of mulch. To get the cubic yardage, divide that result by 27. That is 3.2 cubic yards.
Now, it is possible to apply this mulch properly, making sure to measure its thickness across the surface of the garden as it is applied. In this way, root rot can be avoided and a garden can grow to a healthy level quickly and easily.
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