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Mulching can be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your soil & your plants.
Mulches are a labor saving device for the gardener. A layer of mulch will help prevent
the germination of many weed seeds, reducing the need for cultivation or the use of
herbicides. Mulches also help moderate the soil temperature & retain moisture
during dry weather, reducing the need for watering. Mulches protect the soil from the
impact of raindrops that can cause crusting.
Mulches also can be used to enhance the look of your garden. Many bark mulches
provide uniformly rich red, brown or gray color that contrasts with the plants.
THE BENEFITS OF MULCHING, INCLUDE:
Saves Labor - no weeding, less time watering
Saves Water - far less watering needed, and more rain absorption
Safer - no need for chemical weed killers or herbicides
Stimulates growth - mulched trees grow faster than un-mulched trees
Makes trees more resistant to disease & insects
Keeps soil & roots from overheating in hot summers
Eliminates injury to trunk from mower collisions
Reduces soil compaction over roots & adds loft
Nourishes the soil by adding nutrients as it decomposes
Eliminates the need for tilling & resultant root injury
Reduces bruising of fallen fruit under fruit trees
Increase earthworm population resulting in better aeration
BEFORE APPLYING MULCH, HOFFMANS URGES YOU TO:
Apply Fertilizer First Although mulch is beneficial, as it begins to decompose it will
pull nitrogen from the soil which is detrimental to the plant. Apply good grade of fertilizer
such as Espoma Holly-tone or Plant-tone - before putting down your mulch.
MULCHING IN THE FALL & WINTER:
Mulching will serve to get plants through the winter.
As fall comes to a close - first frost having occured or is imminent - pull out the spent
annuals, prune back the dead parts of perennials & prepare the beds for mulching.
HOW TO APPLY MULCH:
Spread a layer of mulching materials over the entire desired area. Keep mulch 2 to 3
inches away from the stems or trunks of trees, shrubs & woody plants.
If you are mulching around a tree, start tapering the height of the mulch down when you
get to within a few inches of the trunk, leaving the base of the tree free of mulch. It is
better to have to weed this small area than to risk damage to your tree.
Keep mulch slightly away from walls of buildings.
Need to know how much mulch you need? See the coverage chart below
DO NOT PUT TOO MUCH MULCH DOWN:
No more than 3 inches deep or what will decompose over the course of a year.
Deep mulch can lead to excess moisture in the root zone, which can stress the plant
& cause root rot.
Piling mulch against the trunk or stems of plants can stress stem tissues, burn the
trunk & may lead to insect & disease problems.
Mulch piled high against the trunks of young trees may create habitats for rodents that
chew the bark & can girdle the trees.
Thick blankets of fine mulch can become matted & may prevent the penetration of
water & air. In addition, a thick layer of fine mulch can become like potting soil &
may support weed growth.
COVERAGE CHART
1 cubic yard will cover:
324 sq. ft. 1 deep
162 sq. ft. 2 deep
108 sq. ft. 3 deep
2 cubic foot bags will cover:
24 sq. ft. 1 deep
12 sq. ft. 2 deep
We Have The Mulch & Information You Need.
We Look Forward To Seeing You...
