Advantages of Mulching

Mulching helps ornamental plants:

• Conserve moisture
• Maintain a more uniform temperature in the root zone
• Become established more quickly

Other benefits of mulching include:

• Protecting plants from mechanical injury caused by lawn mowers and string trimmers
• Improving soil structure
• Limiting weed growth

How Thick?

A good rule of thumb is to apply a layer of mulch that's one to three inches deep. Any thicker, and roots will begin growing in the mulch instead of the soil, making them susceptible to drought and low temperatures. Mulch can accumulate over time, so check the existing depth before adding more.

Other Tips

• Make sure your mulch is not too close to the base or trunk of the plant, as it could cause decay and winter injury.

• Plastic is not recommended as mulch material, as it does not decompose and can trap excess moisture.

• Avoid using plastic under mulch because the soil underneath the plastic will dry out, inhibiting the growth of deep roots.