5 Tips for Mulching

5 Tips for Mulching

5 Tips for Mulching

 In our last post, To Mulch or Not to Mulch, we focused on the attributes of mulching, and the pros and cons to consider when evaluating budgets and determining how mulch may fit into your programs. While many organizations have faced this challenge, most have recognized the curb appeal and horticultural benefits it brings and managed to keep it as an element of their landscape programs.

In this week’s edition we appeal to those who have chosen to mulch and have assembled our top 5 tips for mulching; from what to do – or in some cases – not do. So, for those about to mulch, we salute (and support) you!

1. Start The Right Way:

Like many things we do, the end results will only be as good as the foundation it is built on. When it comes to mulching nothing could be more accurate. Before mulching, ensure that the bed areas have been properly cleaned from winter. Make sure edges are crisply redefined, any present weeds are eradicated, and plants are trimmed to remove dead or dying branches.

2. Choose Your Product

Mulch often provides many options: double shredded, triple shredded, nuggets, dyed, recycled and so on. While all these products will work, and much of the choice is based on personal preference, for commercial applications we believe that a double shredded dyed product will deliver the longest lasting results at a reasonable price point.

3. More Isn’t Better

So, if a light layer of mulch is good, then a heavier one must be better, right? Wrong! While we can’t dispute that a deeper application would last longer, it creates another series of issues. Mulch covering over the lower stems of plants is detrimental to plant health and heavier applications of mulch tend to more easily spill over onto walks and lawn areas during rainy or windy times. Best practices show an application depth of 2 to 3 inches provides the best results.

4. Keep Your Distance

When spreading mulch, it’s important to keep the top level of mulch below weep holes on masonry structures and at least 6 inches below any wooden foundation. Mulch can easily clog weep holes and acts as a conduit for both water and insects to wood. Perhaps the largest concern in this area lies with creating a pathway for termites to travel from souterrain tunnels to wooden food sources.

5. Timing Helps

While mulch can be put down anytime its best to consider how you will gain the most impact from its application. For areas that experience a change of seasons the best time is in the early Spring. Early season applications provide for the longest aesthetic impact as the product should stay intact through the Summer and into the Fall. It also delivers maximum weed control and moisture retention when completed at this time. In more tropical climates mulch applications are often completed in the Fall, ahead of the drier winter months, capturing the benefit of moisture retention and looking best when local populations increase with winter weary northerners.

Spring has sprung, and no doubt we’ll soon see the mountains of mulch and army of landscapers spreading it. As your sites start to transform from the dreary Winter into the bright and hopeful Spring we hope you’ll drive the best results and consider our tips when completing this transformation.

Contact Us

For more information about commercial landscape programs that cater to the national retail market, or to consult with our Subject Matter Experts:

call (866) 571-4609

or email our Business Development Team at:

Sales@FerrandinoandSon.com.

To Mulch, or Not to Mulch…. That is the question.

To Mulch, or Not to Mulch…. That is the question.

To Mulch, or Not to Mulch….

That is the question.

It’s All About Mulch

Every year it seems as if more and more facility managers are challenged with delivering budget savings. One of the most common areas to search for these savings falls into the service lines where traditionally highest costs are found, which almost always brings the search to landscaping. Under a similar premise when you break down the anatomy of a landscape contract one of the greatest expense’s there is, is the value associated with mulching. Which all too often has led to the question, To Mulch, or Not to Mulch?

Many have already been faced with this question and no doubt many more will be in the future. The attributes of mulch are many and honestly aside from being a cost driver, the negatives are few, If, or should we say, when, you are faced with this decision you should consider the following.

The Pros

Aesthetics

By and large this is the true driver behind mulching. No other individual landscape service makes as much impact as does freshly installed mulch, it’s the true sign that the seasons have changed and that your properties are ready for the year ahead.

Brand Advantage

With many choosing to prioritize cost savings over curb appeal, mulching is actually an opportunity to separate from the competition. When viewed from the eye of a consumer they are far more likely to frequent businesses whose properties are maintained at a higher standard than those which are not.

Horticultural Advantages

While most recognize mulch for its visual attributes it provides some very real benefits to the landscape. When installed to an adequate depth mulch will help to prevent weed growth and provide significant reduction in the amount of water loss related to evaporation and transpiration. By reducing water losses, a plants ability to withstand droughts or decrease dependence on irrigation is greatly increased. Since mulch is an organic product as it naturally breaks down adding nutrients to the soil contributing to improved soil and plant health.

The Cons

Cost

While the positives are many, the reality is that mulch is labor intensive to install and a costly material to supply. Outside of the costs associated with weekly services mulching is almost always the largest cost driver within a landscape contract.

Durability

Mulch requires renewal on a regular basis, in most cases at least annually, so the cost impacts carry on. Since it is generally lightweight in nature it tends to not stay in place, meaning heavy rain, foot traffic and wind can often displace mulch onto sidewalks and other areas where it is not intended.

Will You Mulch?

As the competitive nature of business will no doubt carry on it’s only a matter of time before most all Property Managers are faced with this choice or a similar one. While the answer is rarely a clear one, it is best to have a full understanding of the attributes and impacts of your choices.

Contact Us

For more information about commercial landscape programs that cater to the national retail market, or to consult with our Subject Matter Experts:

call (866) 571-4609

or email our Business Development Team at:

Sales@FerrandinoandSon.com.