3 HOA Mulching Tips for Beautiful, Low-Cost Landscaping

Posted By: on August 15th, 2018

Landscaping is an important consideration for any HOA. It contributes to property values and improves common areas, but it can also contribute to rising maintenance fees when it isn’t managed properly. Professional installation of mulch can be money well spent for your HOA but only when it’s done properly. Here are some tips for maximizing your HOA’s landscaping budget for the best impact.

#1. Mulch the Playground Area

One of the most common outdoor features for an HOA is a playground but it can also be a common source of injuries and liability. Up to 70% of all injuries on playground equipment are caused by children who fall on the ground, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Playground areas should always have landscape mulch installed that can absorb the impact of a fall.

Just remember that it isn’t enough to use just any mulch. If the playground is in a flat area that drains well, a lightweight mulch like pine can work well but a sloped area should have a heavier hardwood mulch like oak or hickory. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends double- or triple-shredded mulch with a depth of 6 to 12 inches for playgrounds to prevent injuries. Talk to you GetMulch.com installer about which certified playground mulch is right for your playground.

#2. Maintaining Mulch Reduces Water Consumption

One of several benefits of mulch is it keeps plants healthy while conserving water consumption for your HOA’s landscaping. It does this by maintaining even soil moisture and temperature. By retaining water in the soil and reducing stress on your plants, your HOA can spend less money on water. It’s also a good idea to have your irrigation system tuned up regularly. Water leaks can be expensive! Make sure there are no broken water lines, clogged valves, malfunctioning timer boxes, or misaligned sprinklers to potentially reduce your water bill by up to 40%.

#3. Choose blown-in mulch

Homeowners appreciate cared-for landscaping but they don’t want to pay more than they need to. When mulch is installed by hand, it comes with high labor costs. Installing mulch for an entire HOA means a crew working all day with wheelbarrows to move, deliver, and rake mulch into place. Mulch Blowing is a cost-effective alternative that saves time and money. A mulch blower truck doesn’t need to come onto the grassy areas to install mulch. Instead, it’s equipped with hoses that are hundreds of feet long, allowing workers to blow mulch directly where it’s needed without trampling the property or wasting time and money.

Mulch delivered by a mulch blower truck comes with many advantages for an HOA:

  • Mulch can be installed in even hard-to-reach areas like steep hills, under shrubs, and areas that can’t be reached with a wheelbarrow
  • Quick installation. Your entire property can be mulched in a matter of hours rather than the days it would take by hand.
  • Reduced risk of damage to your property. With no wheelbarrows or tractors and reduced foot traffic, there is less risk of damage to your lawn and landscaping.
  • Ideal for large areas. Mulch blowing is the ideal solution for large areas that need to be mulched, especially HOA playgrounds and around fences.
  • Professional, smooth results. Mulch that is blown in has a smooth, professional appearance with an even and predictable application. Mulch that’s raked in by hand can’t achieve the same results.

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