Confession: we love the smell of fresh mulch in the morning. For landscapers, it smells like spring. Spreading mulch in early spring promotes a beautiful, healthy landscape in so many ways. But you can’t just lay it down willy-nilly: timing and technique matter. That’s why calling in the pros makes sense. And yes, a fresh layer of mulch each year keeps your landscape healthy and looking its best.
When Is The Best Time To Mulch?
Early spring is an ideal time to spread mulch. February and March are perfect times to book your landscaper for mulching needs. One of the main reasons we mulch in March is to combat weeds preemptively. Spring mulching is a great way to block weeds before they start to spread. Mulch blocks the light that weeds need to grow and creates a physical barrier against weed growth. Combined with a pre-emergent herbicide, it’s an excellent way to fight weeds before they get out of control.
Another reason we mulch in early spring is to help protect our valuable trees, shrubs and other plants, especially when they’re young. Spring mulching helps prevent water evaporation, keeps soil warm in the chilly early days of spring and enriches the soil as it breaks down. It also creates a barrier around your trees to protect them from mowers and trimmers and helps prevent foot traffic around delicate trees and shrubs.
Should I Water Before Spreading Mulch?
Clients sometimes ask if the ground should be wet or dry when we spread mulch. Early spring is an ideal time to mulch because the ground is usually damp. We want to seal in moisture with a layer of mulch. If your area hasn’t had rain before you mulch, you can lightly water dry beds before spreading. We also water after mulching to lock in moisture.
Will My Perennials Come Up If I Mulch?
In late fall, we often apply a mulch layer to protect perennial plants throughout the cold winter. However, clients sometimes wonder if mulch will keep their perennials from coming up in the spring. As landscapers, we love perennials, those beloved plants and flowers that return on their own every year. While some tough perennials will push right up through the mulch, we want to remove winter mulch from our perennials as the ground thaws to allow access to oxygen and sunshine. Of course, you can still reapply mulch around your perennials in the spring to protect them from weeds and help keep the soil healthy and moist.
What’s The Best Type of Mulch to Use in Our Area?
The mulch you’ll most likely find in gorgeous Northern Virginia landscapes is shredded hardwood. It offers a neat but natural look and comes in colors to suit every landscape. Yes, colored mulch is on trend, but we want high-quality mulch that uses natural colors instead of artificial dyes that could be dangerous for pets and kids. We also use wood chips as another organic option to create a different look and feel. Property owners may use other materials like straw and compost to protect our plants during the winter months. However, curb appeal is a top priority as spring moves in, so we recommend hardwood or chips for aesthetic reasons. We can also use stones and pebbles to mulch in specific spaces. However, they don’t offer the soil-enhancing properties of organic mulches.
Should I Remove Old Mulch Before Applying A New Layer?
Your mulch can last for two or three years if properly applied. However, we always want to avoid a mulch layer that’s too thick, so we recommend checking the depth of your existing mulch and removing some as you apply a fresh layer. You should also break up chunks that may have formed over the winter and check for any signs of fungus or pests. Finally, add a fresh layer for moisture protection and curb appeal while staying at recommended thickness levels.
Can I DIY Spring Mulching Or Should I Hire A Landscaper?
Let’s face it: curb appeal is one of the big reasons we mulch in spring. Professionally applied mulch looks neater and helps us avoid patchy or scrubby areas around flower beds, trees and shrubs. Landscape health is another excellent reason to call in the pros. We don’t want to over-mulch: a 2 to 4-inch layer allows for proper drainage. We also want to keep mulch material away from tree trunks instead of creating mounds around the trunks (the dreaded “volcano” effect). Mulch volcanoes can suffocate tree roots and keep them from getting precious nutrients. Over-mulching can create conditions that lead to disease, insect infestations and rodents.
For many of us in Northern Virginia, spring mulch is an absolute must. However, getting it right means using the right variety in the right places and in the right amounts. At Epling Landscaping & Lawn Services, our experienced team is gearing up for full-on Mulch Madness. We’ll help you choose the perfect shade and variety for every location and apply the right amount for effective weed control and moisture enhancement.
