If you need garden mulching services in Allendale, NJ, and the surrounding areas, Chris James Landscaping is ready to help during that time of the year. The deep winter months are closing in and now is the time to prepare your garden. Mulching now will benefit your garden and set you up for success in the coming spring months.
Why Should You Mulch Your Garden in Allendale, NJ?
Mulching your garden protects your garden’s soil and plants in a few important ways. The layer of mulch on top of your soil helps to retain moisture and guards the soil against erosion. The feeder roots of your plants are near the surface of the soil where a layer of mulch will insulate them from the extreme cold of winter.
Protecting these roots is important because they are the main channel of nutrients for your plants. Also, the long-term benefit of garden mulch is the bio-degrading of mulch materials feeds the soil nutrients that the plants need for health and growth. This enhances the outdoor space of your residential or commercial properties. Should you use natural mulch, red mulch, or black mulch? We’re happy to answer these and other questions.
Mulching Gardens in Allendale, NJ
Chris James Landscaping is located in Waldwick, NJ and we are honored to serve the borough of Allendale and other areas of Bergen County. Allendale is named after Joseph Warner Allen who surveyed the land for the Erie Railroad. Famed baseball player Babe Ruth frequently vacationed at the Allendale Hotel. Allendale is one of the many areas we service in New Jersey.
Commonly Asked Questions About Garden Mulching
Below, we have answered a few of the more commonly asked questions we receive regarding mulching gardens. Please contact us directly for any questions you have that are not answered below.
When Is The Best Time To Mulch My Garden?
When the soil heats and dries up, which, depending on your region, may mean waiting until June or July, mulch the area around perennials, trees, and shrubs with an organic material.
What Different Types Of Mulch Are There?
Mulch that is organic or natural decomposes into the soil and enriches it with nutrients. Chopped leaves, manure, straw, hardwood, grass clippings, newspaper, cocoa bean hulls, and compost are some examples of this type of mulch. This is an ideal choice for mulching vegetable gardens or borders with a mix of perennials, shrubs, and trees.
What Are The Benefits Of Garden Mulching?
Garden mulch helps prevent the soil’s surface from becoming crusted. Mulch allows water to move into the soil more easily than it would otherwise. Mulching also prevents dirt from splashing onto the leaves of your plants and lowers the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. Using an organic mulch will provide extra nourishment to the soil as it decomposes.
Does Mulch Color Matter?
The color of your mulch does make a slight impact, but for the most part, mulching is still beneficial regardless of coloration. The two situations in which the color of your mulch is significant include:
Black opaque is ideal when using plastic sheeting as mulch. By obstructing sunlight, opaque black plastic will stop the growth of weeds and prevent any weed seeds from sprouting. The sun’s rays are not blocked by clear plastic, allowing weeds to grow unrestrictedly.
Use light-colored mulch in the summer and fall if you have plants that are sensitive to heat. This will help reflect heat and keep the soil slightly cooler. Dark-colored mulch in the late winter and early spring can help encourage the soil temperature to increase more quickly, enabling you to plant earlier and extend the growing season.
How Much Mulch Do I Need?
You will typically require enough mulch to cover your garden beds with a two to four-inch layer. A depth of three to four inches will work best if your mulch has a gritty texture. Considering that materials with fine textures may settle more firmly, one or two inches should be sufficient.
Keep your mulch layers thin when in doubt, particularly with new growth. The root rot that results from soil that never fully dries out can create issues when the mulch layer is too thick. Until you discover the depth that works best for your plants, start with a little quantity of mulch and add to it as needed.
Call Us Today For Lawn Care Services
At Chris James Landscaping, we landscape all year long. Whether it’s maintaining your beautiful flowers, fixing your sprinkler system, or providing mulching services, we have customized programs to fit all of your short term and long term landscaping needs. Our professionals are located in Northern NJ, are highly trained experts and do an amazing job. We bring over 35 years of local lawn care expertise to make your commercial and residential landscaping dreams a reality. Call us for a professional consultation today.