There is no arguing that mulching around shrubs is an excellent way to keep these plants healthy. After all, mulch conserves soil moisture, suppresses seeds of weeds, and protects the lower stems of shrubs. In fact, cypress mulch seems to work best with shrubs. However, mulching takes a little understanding in order to work well with plants.
For existing shrubs
For coarse mulching materials such as bark or cypress, make the depth only two to three inches. Add only as much to maintain the regular depth after deterioration. For example, if the mulch applied a couple of years beforehand has deteriorated to about an inch, add only an inch or two of the same mulch. Make sure to remove all weeds, rocks, and stones from the soil before applying the mulch.
Mulch application
- Wait until mid-spring or the start of summer when the soil has warmed up before applying mulch. If shrubs have just been planted, the warm soil and mulch will spur roots to grow faster.
- Don’t press mulch against the stems of shrubs. Leave an inch or two of bare soil around the stems. Never cover the lower stems with mulch.
- If the weather in your area is wet almost all year long (such as in Queensland), ring the mulch outside the drip line of the shrubs (around one to two feet).
Don’t use too much mulch
Too much mulch can be detrimental to shrubs. It isn’t necessary to apply a fresh layer of mulch every spring. Two to three inches of mulch is more than enough around shrubs. Too much mulch will create excess moisture, inviting insects, rodents, and disease to reside in the mulch and eventually into the shrubs. Many gardeners make the mistake of creating “mulch volcanoes” around shrubs by piling mulch around the stems. This can cause the lower stems to rot or be eaten up by insects. The primary roots may also die off, causing secondary roots to grow. These secondary roots will prove to be inadequate to hold the shrub, and the plant will die.
Labrador Landscape Supplies
Cypress mulch has a reddish colour that makes it lovely and decorative around your garden shrubs. This mulch is finely chopped and emits a pleasant smell that makes it ideal for garden shrubs and other plants. This mulch will even repel ants. For your mulch and other landscape supply needs, Labrador Landscape Supplies is your one-stop-shop for a wide range of landscape supplies such as gravel, decorative stones, soil, mulch, gravel, sand, cement, and many more. Call us today on 07 5537 2841 or visit https://landscape-supply.com.au/.