There are many different options of mulch that you can choose from to use as ground cover in your landscape. But how do you choose what is best for your landscape? Here are a few things to consider when choosing a mulch that will be best for you.
There are many colors of mulch to choose from. Natural mulch is the color of the wood that it is made from. Color-enhanced has an environmentally-friendly dye added to change its color. Common colors are red, dark brown, light brown, black, and gold. When choosing a color, look at your house, choose a color that compliments it. Also, look at your plants, you don’t want your plants to be drowned out by your mulch color. For example, if you have many red plants, red mulch may not be the best option. There are many color options, since no two landscapes are alike, choose one that fits your specific landscape. And if you are still unsure, just ask, we can help you out.- Mulch can be fine all the way to coarse in texture. It is best to choose a texture that is best suited to your plants. Generally, a medium texture is good; most mulches come in this texture. However, there are fine mulches that are nice around more elegant plants. A fine mulch creates a more even look compared to a medium texture.
- Stone is another option to choose from. Stone comes in many different sizes, colors, and textures. It stays in place fairly well, and it lasts a long time. Note that it is not forever. The stone itself may last for a long time, but after a few years, it will need to be refreshed or cleaned up to have a neat appearance again. A few drawbacks to stone is that it is expensive, as compared to wood based mulches, and it can be a nuisance when it is in a lawn or on the concrete.
There is more than just color and texture when it comes to mulch. These next few are benefits, mulch does help more than the looks of your landscape.
- Mulch helps your landscape keep moisture near the ground by slowing evaporation.
- It also helps to suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds.
- It helps to regulate the soil temperature in your landscape beds.
- Wood based mulches will eventually breakdown and become organic matter for your soil.
- Mulch is aesthetically appealing. It freshens up a landscape.
Mulch does a lot to enhance your landscape both aesthetically and culturally. And the good thing about choosing a mulch, if you end up not liking it, just put another layer on top to change it.