advantages of mulch

mulch

Low Maintenance Landscaping for Plant Beds

Everyone with plant beds wants an aesthetically pleasing landscape, but it can easily devolve into a lot of time, energy, money and work for regular maintenance. Plant beds can encompass traditional flowers, along with bushes and shrubs. For those that prefer to minimize the work aspect so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor, there are low-maintenance strategies to consider.

Perennials

The great thing about perennials is that they don’t have to be planted every year. There are flowering types and attractive options that are appreciated for their unique foliage. Annuals can be included in the mix for additional interest.

Drought Resistance

Planting drought resistant varieties of flowers, grasses, bushes and shrubs will minimize the amount of moisture needed and can help save on water bills.

Landscaping Fabric

Use professional grade landscaping fabric around plants to minimize weed growth. The fabric is economical and its perforated, allowing moisture to pass through and reach the soil.

Mulch

Mulching is an essential element in any landscape. It aids in retaining moisture so plants need less watering and helps enrich the soil. Wood mulch is the most often used. Rocks, stone, and even colored glass can be utilized, but they don’t improve the soil and tend to retain heat. Mulch of any type helps minimize weed growth.

Irrigation

Even though South Florida receives a substantial amount of rain, plants will still need watering at some point. Installing an irrigation system eliminates the time-consuming task of watering and ensure that each zone receives the optimal amount of moisture.

Trees, Flowers and Shrubs

Use a combination of all three types of plantings for beauty, shade and landscape variation. All three have their place in the landscape. Be sure and intersperse some evergreens for year-round interest and color. Individuals that choose to plant vines should ensure that they’re easy to keep with their specific bounds and won’t need a lot of pruning or training to keep them from invading other spaces.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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mulch

Best Time of Year to Lay Mulch

There’s a wealth of advantages to mulching the plants in any yard. The best time of year to mulch is spring when the soil begins to warm, but before the hot days of summer come rolling in. Doing so provides a variety of advantages for the plants and is easier on gardeners.

Supplements Soil

Mulch is an easy way to supplement the soil around trees, bushes, vines and flower beds. Organic mulch breaks down and enriches soil. It’s especially important in landscapes that are built on poor soil. There are many types of mulch from which to choose, with cypress, pine, eucalyptus and cedar being the favorites.

Reduces Evaporation

Mulch reduces the rate at which moisture leaves the soil. It’s an excellent way to conserve water, reduce watering, and save on water bills. A byproduct of reducing evaporation is that it encourages the proliferation of earthworms that are essential for healthier soil.

Reduces Weeds

One of the great things about mulch is that it works to minimize weed growth, which means less work for gardeners. For DIY fans, it’s a good idea to remove as many weeds as possible before laying the mulch.

Beautiful Landscapes

Mulch is available in a variety of colors that enhance the beauty and value of properties. Undyed mulch can begin to turn gray over time and may need to be replaced to maintain the aesthetic value.

Replenishment

Mulch will need to be replenished periodically as it decomposes or becomes discolored. It will typically need to be removed and replaced every 5 years or so, but much will depend on the amount of rainfall, the type of mulch, exposure to sun, and high winds. Mulch of wood bark will typically last longer than mulch composed of wood chips and shredded mulch will need to be replaced most often.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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mulch

Benefits of Adding Mulch to Your Landscape

Mulch is a highly underrated addition to your landscape and it has a myriad of benefits. Multiple types of materials are being used as mulch, with those made of organic materials being the best for plantings and the soil. You may have heard some of the reasons for mulching and its benefits, but there are others of which you may not be aware.

Earthworms

An organic mulch provides an environment for earthworms to live and prosper. Soil with earthworms is healthier. Earthworms tunnel through the ground, allowing water and air to circulate into the soil. They also aid in breaking down organic materials to enrich the soil, as does their excrement. Avoid mulches of rubber, pebbles, polished glass and dyed wood chips if you want earthworms.

Hard Soil

Hard soils like clay and those that are tightly compacted drain slower. Mulch helps break up hard soil, allowing air and water to enter more freely.

Sandy Soil

Mulch improves sandy soil by increasing nutrient levels and improving its ability to retain moisture.

Insect Repellent

Cedar and cypress mulch contains natural oils and chemicals that insects such as ticks, fleas and gnats find unpleasant. Either type of mulch can be used around the foundation of structures to deter those insects.

Reduces Evaporation

Mulch is an excellent way to reduce the rate of evaporation around trees and bushes, and in flower beds. It helps you conserve water, which means less watering and savings on your water bills.

Damage Barrier

Placing mulch around plantings creates a barrier that prevents damage from lawnmowers and weed whackers.

Weed Growth

An application of mulch in flower beds and around larger plantings such as trees and bushes reduce weed growth by blocking sun weeds need to germinate and grow.

Erosion

Watering, rainwater, and the resultant runoff can lead to erosion of soil in flower beds. Mulch aids in minimizing the problem.

Soil Temperature

Mulch helps keep soil temperatures cooler and mitigates the potential for root burn in the hot Florida sun.

 Curb Appeal

A nicely mulched landscape adds curb appeal and value to a property. It’s available in multiple colors and gives the property a more manicured appearance.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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Advantages of Mulch in Flower Beds

Mulch isn’t just a material to be placed around trees to protect their trunk or to create garden paths. Mulch has a wealth of applications that are practical in nature that will make less work for gardeners, enrich the soil, and aid in plant growth and development.

Individuals can choose from multiple types of mulch ranging from shredded bark and wood chips to landscape fabrics and stones. Some are more effective in specific locations than others and gardeners will need to weigh the aesthetic appeal of each against their individual preferences and whether they want organic or inorganic mulch.

One of the most important functions of mulch is that it helps retain moisture, which means less time watering for those that are doing so by hand. It’s also beneficial for those with an irrigation system. Flower beds will require less watering and that means savings on water bills.

Mulch is an effective means of minimizing weeds and keeping them at bay. That means a lot less weeding and nutrients go to the plants for more lush growth. It’s inevitable that an occasional weed will find its way into the bed and when it does, and it can easily be plucked out without any harm to the plants.

Some types of mulch break down over time, thereby enriching the soil. That means a healthier environment for the plants and it’s particularly beneficial for areas where soil composition is poor and fertility is low.

Mulch enhances the esthetic appeal of flower beds and aids in protecting them from trimmers and lawnmowers. Some types of mulch also have the ability to inhibit and even repel invasions by fleas, ticks and gnats into the landscape.

There’s a wealth of choices when it comes to mulch and each comes with its own price point. Gardeners will want to examine selections carefully to determine the best type if they’re doing the work themselves. For extensive flower beds, it’s often more convenient to hire a landscaping service that can assist in choosing the best mulch to accommodate aesthetic preferences, soil needs, and budget.

RCH Landscaping is a full service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install, and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians have an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Read more
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