When it comes to maintaining a vibrant, healthy landscape at your commercial property in Huntsville or Memphis, mulching matters.
“Including mulching in a commercial landscape maintenance routine is a simple and effective way to promote the health of your outdoor spaces,” says Josh Wilder, Memphis Branch Manager of Michael Hatcher & Associates.
Mulching can be built into a regular maintenance contract or added as an enhancement. Either way, it usually follows the spring cleanup season, when grasses are trimmed, and shrubs are pruned in preparation for spring. February and March are ideal months for mulching, which Wilder says has some important benefits.
Benefits of Mulching
- Moisture retention: By acting as a protective barrier, mulch reduces water evaporation from the soil and helps plants retain moisture.
- Weed suppression: A thick layer of mulch inhibits weed growth by blocking sunlight and preventing weed seeds from germinating.
- Soil insulation: Mulch acts as an insulator, regulating soil temperature and protecting plant roots from extreme heat or cold.
- Nutrient enrichment: Organic mulches decompose over time, enriching the soil with essential nutrients that promote plant growth.
Another advantage of mulching is its effect on aesthetics.
“We mulch because it looks really good and makes the property look great,” Wilder says. “It’s easy to spread and looks really good once it’s applied.”
Available in several varieties and colors, mulch can range from organic materials like wood chips, bark, and pine straw to inorganic materials such as gravel and stones. No matter the type, care should be taken when applying mulch.
“One habit you want to avoid is putting too much mulch around plants and trees,” Wilder says. “You’ve heard about volcanoing. That’s when the mulch is applied too high up on the trunk, and it basically suffocates the tree. You could end up having moisture trapped on the bark, which will eventually let bugs and fungus in, so you want to put just enough to keep the tree happy around the roots, but at the same time, not too much.”
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The professionals at Michael Hatcher & Associates would love to help you improve and maintain the beauty of your commercial property. In Huntsville, contact Tim Sansom at tsansom@hatcherlandscape.com or 256-993-2888. In Memphis, contact Nick Gardner at nickg@hatcherlandscape.com or 901-378-6106.
