Here is the most critical section of the blog. So far, you have learned the importance of mulch and how to choose the right mulch for your garden. Now it’s time to walk through tips to succeed in your mulch installation project. Let’s divide them as “Do’s” and “Don’ts”.

Do Follow These When Installing Mulch

• Do lay mulch to a maximum of 4 inches.

Aim for a 4-inch (≈100mm) layer of mulch to stop weeds and retain moisture. However, it should be at least 2 inches (≈50mm) thick.

• Do use mulch as a catalyst for curb appeal.

Mulching has an aesthetic value. Utilize colored mulch that resonates with colors in your garden, such as colors of bricks, stones, and even flowers.

• Do consider the area of your landscape.

You can install mulch according to the area of your yard or flower bed. Make sure not to cover areas unnecessarily using mulch. Use plants, shrubs, or lawns appropriately with spanned mulch.

• Do refresh them when needed

You need to stay attentive to the status of mulch. Over time, mulch can be discolored, faded, or decayed and decompose. Therefore, you have to re-install new mulch as required.

• Do try different options instead of repeating the same mulch type.

When refreshing mulch, you can use different textures and colors. If you’re looking for a new look and need to update your mulch, try options such as cocoa bean shells, nut hulls, ground-up salvaged palettes, and even seaweed.

• Do keep wood mulches out of your vegetative beds.

Wood mulch encourages animals like rodents and pests to be attracted to your vegetable beds, destroying the roots and even harvesting them. Therefore, make sure to use mulch types such as straw, leaves, and compost.

In case you must use a woody mulch, keep it at least six inches away from the base of your plants.

• Do remove weeds before mulch installation.

Indeed, mulch can control smaller, younger weeds. But what if weed is already residing in that specific area? Then, there is no point in using mulch for the purpose of weed control. However, you can remove well-established weeds before mulch installation by pulling them by hand or using a weed whacker. 

• Do make a clean border around garden beds before mulching. 

This helps keep grass lawns from spreading into your flower/vegetable beds, giving them neat and polished edges. Cut a small trench about 2-3 inches deep to hold any mulch slightly off to keep everything in place and prevent mulch from spilling here and there.

• Do leave a span between the plant stem and the mulch. 

Make sure to leave some space between the mulch and the base of your plants. It helps air circulate and prevents rot. For trees and shrubs, don’t pile mulch against the trunk, as it can trap moisture and cause damage over time.

• Do make sure about post-care steps after mulch installation.

After spreading mulch, you must give it a good soak. Watering helps the mulch settle into place and keeps it from blowing away. It also ensures the soil underneath gets the moisture it needs.

Don’t Follow These When Installing Mulch

• Don’t use synthetic mulch for flower or vegetable beds. 

Synthetic mulches, such as plastic sheets or landscape fabric, are great for pathways but not good options for flower or vegetable beds. They trap too much moisture as they hold water and do not decompose. When they eventually break apart, you will have to pick tiny parts of plastics or fabrics. Do you want that?

• Don’t expect all mulch to control or prevent weeds. 

Not all types of mulch can stop weeds. No matter how much mulch you use, wind, birds, or even your shoes can still carry weed seeds. Therefore, if your place is easily exposed to weeds, you must use specialized mulch products for extended weed control.

• Don’t add fresh mulch over old mulch without loosening it up first. 

You can add fresh mulch on top of old mulch, but never before loosening the old mulch layer. This improves drainage and air movement within the new and existing layers. 

• Don’t do volcano mulching.

Volcano mulching means placing mulch too high or too close to the trunk. This can cause many problems, damaging your tree, plant, or shrub over time. 

• Too much mulching blocks adequate oxygen, and because of this, roots grow upward through the mulch, leading them to wrap around the trunk. This will stop the tree’s water supply.
• Also, too much mulching holds excessive water, causing unnecessary moisture. This can lead to problems like root rot and an unstable tree.

• Don’t make the layer of mulch too deep or too thin. 

A mulch layer that is too deep prevents oxygen from reaching the soil and traps moisture unnecessarily. A too-thin layer allows sunlight to reach weed seeds and won’t work as an effective insulator.

• Don’t ignore bare soil.

You might mistaken that bare soil is a perfect foundation for your trees. Yes, it is, but you must also protect bare soil. Otherwise, soil erosion, sediment runoff, and patches on your soil can happen. 

• Don’t use bad, low-quality mulch.

This is the most important thing you should remember. No matter what tip you use, it will not work if you use low-quality mulch. For example, assume there are hidden weed seeds in the mulch you will install. What happens next? Therefore, make sure you buy mulch from a reliable supplier.