Before you get out the shovel and trowel, here are a few things to consider prior applying mulch around trees or in your garden beds:
Once you begin mulching stay with it. Removing a layer of mulch will dry out the soil and potentially injure the roots below.
There are generally two periods for proper mulching. A layer of mulch maintained at two inches thick should be applied to your garden beds in the spring after the ground has thawed. A second mulch application in the fall after the ground is frozen will further insulate and protect plants.
Mounding the mulch around trees is a common mistake many homeowners make. Mounding mulch against a tree’s trunk can lead to bark rot, disease, and insect problems. Instead, spread the mulch so it extends a couple of inches from the base of the tree in a layer approximately three to four inches deep. Make sure it is higher at the outside edges. The saucer shape will keep the mulch away from the tree and help hold and distribute water to the tree’s root system.
Avoid over applying mulch. Spreading mulch too thick can cause roots to grow shallow and make them more susceptible to death during extended dry periods.
Use woody or bark mulches in areas where you won’t be doing a lot digging, e.g., around trees and in flower beds. Lighter mulch material such as straw, which is easily worked into the soil, is better suited for vegetable gardens where replanting may be common place.
