Benefits of Mulching

Mulches, when correctly applied, have the following beneficial effects on the soil and plants:

• Conserve soil moisture.
• Maintain a more uniform soil temperature; the mulch acts as an insulator that keeps the soil cool under intense sunlight and warm during cold weather.
• Suppress weeds by blocking out sunlight.
• Organic mulches improve soil structure; decomposing mulch adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.
• Helps prevent tree trunk injury by mowers and line trimmers.

Plants should be mulched as needed to maintain a 2 to 3-inch layer. Keep mulch at least two to three inches away from the stems and trunks of plants. When mulching individual trees planted in lawns, create a circle of mulch about 2 feet in diameter for each inch of trunk diameter. Measure the trunk diameter 6 inches up from the ground. Increase the size of the mulched area as the tree grows, extending up to or beyond the dripline or outermost reaches of the branches.