Easy Mistakes to Avoid for an Amazing Blown Mulch Experience

Having mulch blown in is an easy way to transform your home or commercial property with reduced installation time and beautiful, smooth results. Prior to having mulch delivered, it’s a good idea to know what to expect and avoid mistakes that can detract from the appearance of your final results. Here are some common mistakes you can avoid.

#1. Don’t use landscaping fabric under the mulch
In a lot cases we recommend avoiding the use of landscaping fabric or plastic under your mulch. Landscaping fabric is good for blocking growth under gravel but it shouldn’t be used in gardening beds because it blocks the natural compost process. Mulch is biodegradable and breaks down over time. It’s designed to compost into your soil. A weed barrier disrupts this process and causes a thick layer of compost on top of the fabric as the mulch breaks down. Weeds will easily germinate in this compose. Over time, the mulch will build up and plants will become choked.

You do not necessarily need to remove landscaping fabric already under your existing mulch but we recommend that you do not install any plastic or weed barriers before your mulch delivery.

#2. Have mulch applied at the right thickness
Your mulch delivery company can help you decide the right thickness for the mulch depending on your application. In general, mulch should be applied at 3 to 4 inches initially. When mulch is applied too thickly, it does more harm than good by preventing water from getting into the soil. Mulch should help retain moisture in the soil for the plants. Mulch that is too thick can also encourage pests and mold.

For maintenance, mulch can be applied at 1 to 2 inches thick. This is because mulch does not break down very fast and if you add more mulch each year, you will only want to top dress without adding too mulch thickness.

For some applications like playground mulch, a thick application is best. Playgrounds should have a mulch thickness of 6 to 12 inches to absorb the impact of falls.

#3. Choose the right color and type
Mulch comes in many styles, colors, and types. Each type of mulch has a different application. Hardwood mulches are best for steep areas while light mulch works best in areas that are flat and drain well. Wood chips should be treated as stone for decorative purposes as they don’t retain water. Organic mulch is almost always preferred over inorganic mulch like gravel because it decomposes and adds nutrients to your soil. Still, it may not be good for areas that remain damp because it retains water and can cause rot. Larger chunk mulch like pine bark nuggets last the longest as they take a long time to decompose while fine mulch and shredded bark break down quickly. For some applications like playgrounds, this may still be the best option for safety. When it comes to playgrounds though a certified playground mulch is always best.

After filling out a mulch request form on GetMulch.com make sure to speak with your mulch installation company for help choosing the right size, color, and type of mulch to enrich your plant beds and add beauty to your outdoor landscaping.