The Scoop on Mulch

English Botanist Cyrus Baker-Mulch created the concept of “mulching” in the late 1460's. Cyrus loved to work in his garden growing healthy plants. He discovered that when he applied rich natural organic material around his plants, they grew faster, had far less competition from weeds and required less water. In addition, this organic material made his garden more attractive and gave its floor a different, more attractive texture. Others in the kingdom began to notice the difference that this organic material made in Cyrus's garden and dubbed it "mulch".

Benefits of Mulching

• Conserves Soil Moisture- allows water to penetrate soil and reduces evaporation, prevents erosion and drought injury, less time watering
  
• Reduces Weeds
  
• Regulates Soil Temperatures- keeps roots cooler in extreme heat and protects from winter injury
  
• Improves Appearance-defines and separates planting areas, defines different textures, attractive
  
• Prevents Soil "Crusting", allowing water to penetrate into the soil
  
• Adds Nutrients to Soil (Organic Mulches)- decomposed mulch provides nutrients for plants
  
• Creates a buffer zone between your plantings and your lawn – limits mower damage to plants and competition with turf

How to Apply Mulch

1. Install plants.
2. Apply a 2-4" thick layer once settled (Thinner for annuals/perennials).
3. Reapply on top of existing mulch as needed each year.

Use our Mulch & Soil Conversion Chart to determine how much mulch to purchase for your beds.

What to Avoid

• Too Thick- Mulch 6" or deeper (after settling) in plant beds may encourage root rot due to excessive moisture and poor aeration.
  
• Too Close to House- Mulch closer than 12” to the house may harbor termites and other insects.
  
• Mulching Poorly Drained Soils- Mulch tends to hold water and can increase your problem in this situation.
  
• Too close to Trees- Don't pile a heavy layer of mulch against the trunk.

Selecting a Mulch

See photos of various mulches in our Stone/Mulch Catalog.

• Pinestraw - most common mulch and natural look for Georgia, blends in well with existing pine trees, extremely flammable. Typical bales cover 30-40 square feet at 2-3"depth.
  
• Pine Mulch - Pinebark ground twice, natural red brown color, great for annual beds due to fine texture (can till in to soil when you change out your annuals)
  
• Pinebark Nuggets - large chunks of bark, high weed suppression, long lasting, will float away if not contained during heavy rainfalls, not good on slopes
  
• Pinebark Mininuggets - Small pine bark chips, great for general landscaping, annual/perennial beds
  
• Cypress Mulch - twice shredded tidewater red cypress, excellent water retention, good for slopes, playgrounds, annual beds, insect repellent, clean
  
• Red Oak - double shredded oak mulch, chocolate brown color get darker, good water retention and weed suppression
  
• Redwood and Black Mulch - blend of double ground Hardwood and Pine species, dyed to retain its color, good erosion control, slow to break down
  
• Playground Chips (also known as "Tumble Safe")- Blend of Hardwood and Pine, ground and screened, suitable for playground and general landscape use.
  
• Rubberific Mulch - safest mulch for playgrounds, last 5+years, from recycled forklift tires (no steel belts)
  
• Gravel and River Stones - wet or dry areas, attractive, different colors and sizes