Considering Mulch

Contributed by QuestionSense Editors

What is mulch?
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Mulch is any material that is spread over the surface of the soil.It is used to retain moisture in the soil,control weeds, keep the soil cool and make the garden bed look more attractive.
When should I mulch?
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Mulch can be applied anytime of the year. But generally speaking early spring is the best time.
How often should I mulch?
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Raking the mulch at 4-6 month intervals will rejuvenate the beds and allow additional aeration to plant roots, which is beneficial for plant growth. After about a year (and on a yearly basis thereafter), rake the mulch bed, then top it off with 1-2" of new mulch. Be careful not to over mulch. You can have too much of a good thing.
What do I need to do to prepare for mulching?
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Ideally, you should clear the area of all weeds, leaves and grass. Edge around the entire border of the beds to be mulched. If you are replenishing the mulch on an existing area, be sure to loosen up the old mulch.
What is the best way to spread the mulch?
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Using your hands to spread the mulch produces the best results. You don't want the mulch to make direct contact with the plants. When finished, the mulch should be watered down to put moisture in it and help it to settle into place.
Should I buy the bags or in bulk?
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It is almost always cheaper to buy mulch in bulk rather than in the bags.Be sure to factor in delivery charges which will probably be somewhere in the $25 - $50 range with a five yard minimum. In addition, determine where and how the mulch will be dumped. If you can't easily transport the bulk delivery to wherever your beds are then the bags may be a better option.
How deep should the mulch be?
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New planting beds require 2-3" of mulch to retard weeds and retain moisture.\015\012It's a good idea to top dress existing beds with 1-2" of mulch in the spring.\015\012You can protect perennials in the winter with 2" of mulch.\015\012
How much mulch do I need?
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Bulk mulch is sold in cubic yards so it' just a little ole math problem...\015\012\015\012The first step is to determine how deep you want the mulch to be. One cubic yard of mulch will cover a 324 sq ft area with 1" of mulch.\015\012\015\012So, figure out the square footage of your bed (width x length for square or rectangular shapes). The\015\012multiply your square footage by the depth desired (in inches)\015\012 Divide by 324. This will tell you how many cubic yards you will need.\015\012\015\012Example calculation for a rectangular area 6' x 90' to be covered with 2" of mulch:\015\012\015\012 1. 6' x 90' = 540 sq ft\015\012 2. 540' x 2 = 1080 sq ft.\015\012 3. 1080 \303\267 324 = 3-1/2 cubic yards\015\012
What color mulch should I get?
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The basic colors are brown, red and black with many variations in colors available. There are also "color enhanced" options. This is mostly a function of personal taste. There are products on the market to help prevent your mulch from fading, but over time all mulches will fade.
What does mulch cost?
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Mulch prices will be somewhere in the $25 - $50 per yard range.