Springtime is for prepping and planting, and that includes mulching around your trees and garden beds. The Town of Ashland's Department of Planning & Community Development would like to share some tips and tricks to help you properly mulch this season.
Tip #1: Lay 2 to 3 inches of mulch for optimal benefits. It’s enough to be effective, but not so much as to encourage shallow root growth. Plants need deep roots to stay healthy during difficult weather.
Tip #2: Choose your mulch wisely. There are many different kinds of mulch, and each has its own traits. Some mulches are great for vegetable gardening, others for flower gardening. Some mulches need to be watered after being laid, others need to be allowed to dry. Make sure you know which mulch best fits your needs and how you should care for it.
Tip #3: Avoid volcano mulch! Mulch keeps things warm and moist, which is why it’s so useful in your garden! But it can also damage plants that have wooden stems or trunks if piled too high or too close.
Try to keep mulch 3 to 6 inches away from tree trunks. Some people unknowingly create a mulch “volcano,” creating a hill of mulch around a tree. This is especially harmful. Push the mulch away from the trunk of the tree, and you’ll be just fine!