Replenishing the mulch in your landscape beds is a great way to enhance curb appeal and keep your plants healthy. Ideally, you should replenish your mulch twice a year - once in the spring and again in the fall. That's because keeping it fresh will ensure it continues to provide all its intended benefits and protect your plants during the summer and winter in Alabama, respectively. However, in order for you to get the most out of your mulch, you'll want to make sure that it's 2-3 inches thick.

How often should you replenish your mulch?

A landscape bed in Huntsville, AL, with fresh mulch.

To ensure your mulch stays fresh and continues to provide all its intended benefits to your landscape beds, you should replenish it twice a year. Mulch has several functions, such as acting as a protective blanket for your plants by retaining moisture, regulating soil temperature, and preventing weeds from growing. However, as the mulch starts to break down, it becomes less effective at providing these benefits, and the surface of your soil will become more exposed to harsh weather conditions. Because of this, refreshing it twice is the best way to maintain its health and aesthetic benefits.

You should replenish your mulch in the spring and fall.

The best times to replenish your mulch are in the spring and fall. When you refresh your mulch in the spring, you give your garden a fresh start for the warm summer months ahead. During this time, your plants require optimal hydration and temperature regulation to thrive, and a layer of fresh mulch can help achieve this. Not only does it do this, but it also reduces evaporation, conserving water usage. Moreover, adding a new layer of mulch in the spring can instantly enhance the appearance of your landscape beds, giving them a neat and well-groomed look. It can also help suppress weed growth, as many are germinating during this time.

Similarly, replenishing your mulch in the fall can protect your plants from cold temperatures and retain moisture during the winter season. The mulch acts as an insulator, shielding your plants from the harsh winter elements and preventing soil erosion. This way, when spring arrives, your garden will be well-prepared to start blooming again.

The mulch in your landscape beds should be 2-3 inches thick.

You don't want to add too much mulch to your landscape beds, but you also don't want too little. Ideally, you want the layer of mulch in your landscape beds to be between 2-3 inches thick. If it's thicker than this, then it can smother your plants, whereas if it's too thin, then it won't provide all its health benefits. A healthy amount of mulch will allow sunlight, air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil easily!

Keep a 1-inch margin around the base of your plants when installing mulch in your landscape beds to avoid smothering them.

Call us today to revitalize your landscape by scheduling our mulch installation service!

If your landscape beds need some attention, let our team at Five Star Lawn and Landscaping help with that! When you sign up for our mulch installation service, you can choose from our various options to suit your aesthetic preferences, and you can trust that we'll install it right to benefit your plants. Our service is available in both the spring and fall to residential and commercial properties, as well as HOAs, in Huntsville, Owens Cross Roads, Madison, AL, Winchester, TN, and other nearby areas. By signing up for our service, you can rest assured that your landscape will be taken care of. Call us today at (256) 975-0529 to sign up for our service and take the first step towards a beautiful and well-maintained yard!