Replacing or applying mulch is most commonly done in the spring and fall, and Marylanders can reap significant benefits by mulching this season.
Marylanders may have noticed brisker mornings and chillier nights in recent days; this is simply another sign that summer is ending and cooler days are to come. Getting one’s home and garden ready for the weather ahead is essential. Mulch is a crucial part of any garden, and many homeowners and landscaping professionals use mulch to improve appearances and ensure the survival of less winter-hardy plants during the colder months. Replacing or applying mulch is most commonly done in the spring and fall, and Marylanders can reap significant benefits by mulching this season with high-quality materials from Lehnhoff’s Supply.
Benefits of Mulch for Your Maryland Garden
Mulch isn’t a garden cure-all by any means, but it still serves many important functions that can keep your plants healthy. A healthy layer of it provides much-needed insulation, shielding plants and soil from temperature fluctuations and trapping the earth’s warmth on cold days. It can help retain moisture during dry spells and keep weeds from competing with your plants. Shredded wood — the mulch of choice for many homeowners and gardeners — also breaks down over time, reintroducing nutrients into the soil.
Should You Apply Mulch This Season?
Whether you’re working with stone or shredded wood, you may find yourself wondering when to apply (or reapply) your garden’s mulch. Fall and spring are the more popular times to apply it, but homeowners with sensitive plants in cold climates may want to opt for fall mulching. For starters, it’s easier to apply mulch when temperatures are mild — nobody wants to sweat and slog in the heat, and removing and reapplying mulch becomes a much more miserable process on a warm day. Fall mulch application also helps protect plant roots and bulbs from unpredictable temperature changes, which is crucial as they approach dormancy. Applying mulch after you’ve cut back perennials for the year also gives you more room to work with.
Explore the Wide World of Mulch
Although many people assume that mulch is always made of shredded wood, there are actually many different types that are ideal for different situations. For the most part, however, homeowners will likely want to stick with either wood or stone mulch for basic landscaping applications. If insulation and soil nutrient management are important to you, you may want to opt for Lehnhoff’s double shredded, dyed black, or dyed brown mulches. These products will break down over time and provide your plants with added nutrients. However, if boosting aesthetics and minimizing maintenance are your main goals, you may want to consider selecting a stone mulch that complements your architecture and landscape.
Questions? Lehnhoff’s Supply is Here to Help
If you still have more questions about how to best prepare your landscape or garden for fall or winter, the trained professionals at Lehnhoff’s Supply are here to help you.
Find us at 2708 Belair Road, Fallston, MD 21047 and give us a call at 410-510-7646. For tips, tricks, and to see what we have been up to, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
We serve but aren’t limited to, the following parts of Maryland: Harford County – Fallston, Forest Hill, Joppa, Edgewood, Bel Air, Churchville, Havre de Grace, Jarrettsville, Street, Aberdeen, Abingdon, and Joppatowne. In Baltimore County: Kingsville, Perry Hall, Overlea, Fullerton, Nottingham, Parkville, Towson, Carney, Loch Raven, Lutherville, Timonium, Hunt Valley, Cockeysville, Sparks, Glyndon, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Ruxton, Parkton, Glen Arm, Baldwin, Monkton, Long Green, White Marsh, Rosedale, Phoenix, and Fork.
