What should you not mulch?

It's especially important to avoid using rocks as mulch around common foundation plants like azalea, hydrangea, and yews; these plants thrive in acidic soil (soil with a pH level below seven).
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When should you not mulch?

While mulching in early fall is safe, you should never mulch during late fall. "This can insulate the ground and prevent plant dormancy," says Morrell. The much-needed hibernation helps plants survive the cold winter months.
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What is a major downside to mulching?

Disadvantages of Mulching

Although using mulch has many benefits, in some cases, its use can be detrimental to the garden: TOO much mulch (a layer more than 3 inches deep) can bury and suffocate plants; water and oxygen can't reach the roots.
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Why should you not put mulch around your house?

While mulch is great, it also creates an ideal environment for pests like termites to congregate. The mulch shields them from the elements so that they can thrive. For this reason, it's not always the best idea to lay mulch right next to your home's foundation.
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What should I put down before mulching?

Spray all weeds with weed killer 1 to 2 weeks prior to mulching. This allows weeds to completely die, making them much easier to pull.
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Why you need to stop using straw as a mulch



What month should you mulch?

Apply mulch in late spring and early fall. As the plants mature, they will start providing their own mulch in the form of fallen leaves, flower parts, and other plant litter. It is best to leave the leaves and other plant litter in place!
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What wood chips to avoid?

Types of Wood to Avoid For Mulch

There is the concern that some mulches leach allelochemicals into the soil which may kill nearby vegetation. It is accurate that these chemicals can prevent seed germination or even kill young plants. Black walnut, tree of heaven, magnolia, and eucalyptus all exude allelochemicals.
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Should you remove mulch every year?

So, should you remove old mulch? Expert green thumbs contend that getting rid of last year's mulch is completely unnecessary. Mulch gradually breaks down, adding beneficial nutrients and other organic matter to the soil. Removing pre-existing mulch every year only ends up to be extra work and a needless expense.
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Should you put down mulch every year?

It is a good idea to replace your Mulch America mulch every year. Over the seasons, mulch decomposes. This releases nutrients into the soil below. Mulch color can fade over time, too.
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Will mulch attract termites?

Does Mulch Attract Termites? While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather.
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What is the healthiest mulch?

Shredded Bark

It comes from a variety of sources, including cedar trees. Shredded bark is one of the best mulch types to use on slopes, and it breaks down relatively slowly. As a bonus, some shredded bark mulches are byproducts of other industries and are considered environmentally friendly.
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Why not to mulch around trees?

Too much mulch applied over the root ball or resting against the trunk (see right photos) can cause problems for trees, especially when there is a lagre range in particle sizes. Roots often grow up and into the mulch causing stem girdling roots which can kill trees (lower photo).
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Does mulch eventually turn into soil?

Eventually all mulch will decompose and no longer provide the benefits it was designed for. Organic mulches provide nutrients to your soil, while retaining moisture and protecting the soil. As your mulch decomposes or is reduced in depth, you become more likely to see more problems with soil erosion and weeds.
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Is it OK to mulch in the fall?

Many landscaping professionals actually practice — and prefer — fall mulching. Fall mulch works like spring mulch to retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth and protect bare soil from erosion.
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Is it better to mulch in spring or fall?

Fall mulching saves time and energy in the spring because it cuts down on the need to weed. It also saves you the labor of spreading new soil and mulch after winter snows. You may also save money too. Mulched perennials are likely to last the winter, reducing your outlay on new blooms.
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Should I water mulch after putting it down?

Expect all mulch to stop weeds.

Be sure to water after applying.
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Can I just put new mulch over old mulch?

For an annual bed, remove old mulch before you till the soil and add compost. If you're applying mulch to a perennial bed, you might be tempted to just add a new layer of mulch on top, but this can cause rot, nutrient starvation, and plant death. Remove as much of the old layers as possible before you add more.
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Can I use rocks instead of mulch?

If you have drainage issues on your property, rock is a great mulch choice, allowing water to drain quickly. If you have open bed areas without plants, rock is an easy, no maintenance option. Rocks are great for high-traffic areas, where pedestrians tend to take short cuts.
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Can you mulch too late?

Mulch is designed to slow soil's warming and help with nutrient retention. If you add the mulch too early, before your soil has warmed on its own, you lose the warming benefit that mulch provides. If you add it too late, the mulch loses its chance to help retain nutrients that the soil already had.
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Is mulch really necessary?

Mulch is necessary because it provides protection, nutrients, lengthens plant life and embellishes the look of your landscape. From weed control to happier plants, we recommend fresh mulch and here's why…
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Is it better to mulch or not?

Mulching grass clippings provides more nutrients for your soil. As they break down, the clippings will release nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. These are essential nutrients that your lawn needs to stay healthy.
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Do wood chips attract snakes?

Avoid using mulch and large rocks in your landscape, as they attract snakes and their prey and can create breeding and overwintering habitat. Instead, use smaller, tight-fitting rock such as gravel or river rock.
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Do wood chips attract termites?

Even though wood chips are not an attractive food source for termites, they do like moist soil. So, if you already have a termite infestation in your soil the moisture from the mulch could be an attractive area for them continue to survive. To avoid problems, reduce excess moisture around the siding of your home.
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Do wood chips attract rats?

Your garden is naturally filled with plants that may appeal to rodents. This, in combination with the presence of mulching materials, make your garden the ideal space for these pests. Mulches such as straw, wood chips, and leaves offer the mice and their relatives safety and cover.
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