Few things are more frustrating than a messy front yard. In addition to disrupting your curb appeal, overgrown, messy landscaping can also harbor pests and make it look like you don't care about your property. Fortunately, tidying up your yard doesn't have to be difficult. I have spent years learning more about landscaping, and this blog is all about how to become a landscaping enthusiast. Check out these articles about fun topics like planting flowers, perfecting pruned trees, and decorating your yard with whimsical additions. After you know more about landscaping, your yard might become the talk of the town.
Fall is one of the best times to apply fresh mulch to your landscaping. A fall application insulates the soil against extreme cold, prevents soil desiccation, and suppresses early-season weeds. The following are a few tips for your fall mulching.
1. Measure Twice
It's vital that you order sufficient mulch when buying in the fall because you may not have time for a second delivery before winter weather arrives. To determine how much you need, measure the length and width of the area to be mulched. Multiply these measurements by the desired mulch depth. A layer of mulch at least 3 inches deep does a good job for winter insulation. Mulch is typically ordered by the cubic yard, so transfer your measurements in yards prior to ordering.
2. Choose the Weight
High winds and winter storms can blow lighter mulches all over the yard. This means lots of raking to keep the mulch in place, or you'll end up with mulch pieces in the yard or buried under snow. Opt for chunks and large chips instead of small chips or shavings. Bark nuggets are typically lightweight and are best suited for a late-season application.
3. Ask for Dark Colors
A fall mulch application can last into the following summer if you opt for a darker color. Overly faded mulches turn silvery and unattractive. Lighter colors fade to the silvery stage much more quickly than darker colors. Further, opt for cedar or redwood mulches. These trees have a nice darker red coloring that ages well, and the wood itself is less prone to rot so it has good longevity.
4. Clear the Beds
Save time once the mulch arrives by preparing all of your beds for mulching beforehand. The main challenge with a fall mulch application is the beds are often filled with dying summer plants and lots of fallen leaves. Rake out the leaves and cut back any declining plants before the scheduled mulch delivery date.
5. Stage a Place
Avoid having the mulch piled on the grass if possible, as the grass may not recover before it goes into winter dormancy. The weight of the mulch will mat down the lawn, which can leave that area more prone to winter burn. Ideally, the mulch should be delivered onto a paved surface, such as a driveway or patio. If it must be delivered on the lawn, have it dumped onto a tarp, and plan to get the mulch shoveled into its final location as soon as possible in order to reduce lawn damage.
Contact a landscape mulch delivery service to schedule your fall application.
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