To Mulch or Not to Mulch - That is The Question

Many property owners think that mulch is only added to a landscape bed for aesthetic purposes. It's true - they do add texture and complementary colors to a landscape bed, however, mulch provides so many additional benefits that you will want to know about!

Installing mulch on your landscape beds will directly affect how your plants will thrive. It will not only help to keep your soil temperature at optimum levels, but it can also prevent weed growth, soil erosion, and even pests! Continue reading to learn why mulch is a great addition to your landscape beds.

Mulch regulates your soil temperature and retains moisture.

With the changing weather in Illinois, your soil is trying to combat both cold and hot weather. Keeping your soil at a regulated temperature is important for the health of your plants. If your soil gets too hot or too cold, this might cause long-term damage to your beloved plants. Thankfully, mulch will help regulate the temperature of your soil by acting as a protective barrier.

This protective mulch barrier will not only regulate soil temperature, but it will also combat water evaporation due to hot weather. Mulch will help retain the moisture in your soil, allowing you to wait longer in between waterings.

Did you know that mulch can prevent weed growth?

No homeowner wants to see weeds growing in their landscape beds. They are not only unsightly but, more importantly, they block your desired plants from getting important nutrients.

It's a good thing that mulch can actually stop weeds from growing. There are several ways that mulch can do this. The first is that it can actually stop weed seeds from finding their way to your soil. This prevents any chance of germination. However, if weed seeds do find their way into your soil, they will need sunlight to thrive. The second way that mulch will help is by blocking sunlight from reaching the new weed seeds, preventing them from growing any further.

Mulch acts as a barrier against wind and heavy rainfall.

Mulch protects against soil erosion by blocking your soil from the natural elements. While soil erosion is a natural process that happens over time, certain instances like strong winds and heavy rain can speed up the process. Mulch can even protect your soil from getting too compacted due to heavy rainfall. If you live in an area where there is a lot of strong wind, we advise using rocks for your ground covering instead of mulch. Rocks are heavier and will not move as easily from strong gusts of wind.

Cedar mulch is great for deterring insects from your landscape.

A great, natural way to repel insects such as mosquitoes from your landscape is by using cedar mulch. This type of mulch releases natural chemicals and oils as it breaks down back into your soil. The main insect-repelling chemical in cedar mulch is called thujone. Not only will cedar mulch deter bugs, but it also releases a great, natural aroma that property owners love!

Ready to install mulch and protect your soil? Call us today!

Here at Element Turf & Outdoor Solutions, LLC, we have a lot of options for mulch for properties in Alton, Godfrey, Edwardsville, and surrounding areas in Illinois. Some of the most popular choices include black dyed mulch, native reground, and cedar mulch. All varieties will help protect your soil.

We can explain to you the features of each one so you can decide which is right for you depending on your preference and budget. You can hire our crew to install your mulch for you or we can deliver the mulch to your property if you would rather take the project on yourself!

If you are located in Alton or a nearby area, call us today at (618) 467-7047 for a pricing estimate.