Learning Center / Trees, shrubs and beds
Why should you mulch your beds in the spring?
Two reasons: spring mulch blocks weeds before they get going, and it holds moisture in the soil so your plants are ready for hot, dry summer days. The earlier it goes down, the better it works.
- By David Obeid, founder
- Reviewed
- 4 min read
Weeds
How does spring mulch stop weeds?
A fresh layer of mulch blocks the light weed seeds need to sprout. Most bed weeds come from seed sitting at the soil surface, and spring is when they start germinating. Mulch that goes down early covers them before they get started.
It only works on a clean bed. Mulch spread over existing weeds just buries them for a few weeks, which is why we weed and edge beds before any new mulch goes down. More on keeping weeds out of mulch beds.
Summer ahead
How does mulch help plants through summer?
Mulch insulates the soil, holding moisture in and keeping the root zone cooler on hot summer days. Northern Virginia summers dry out bare soil fast, and summer downpours wash it away. A steady layer of mulch evens out soil temperature, holds water through dry spells and keeps soil from splashing onto leaves.
Plants that go into July with mulched beds need less watering and handle the heat with less stress.
Doing it right
How should spring mulch go down?
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Weed and edge first
New mulch should go down on a clean bed with a crisp edge.
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Get the depth right
Refresh established beds with one to two inches. Give brand-new plantings two to three inches. Keep the total to about three inches so roots get air in our clay soil.
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Go early
The earlier in spring it goes down, the more weeds it stops before they start.
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Keep it off trunks and stems
Make a donut, not a volcano. Mulch piled against bark holds moisture against it and invites rot, insects and voles.
How we handle it
What does spring mulch cost?
Mulch installation starts at $397 on its own, priced by bed area, and is included in the Timesaver and Lifesaver plans. We use double-shredded brown hardwood, which knits together, stays put in rain and breaks down steadily into the soil.
Spring is our most popular time to mulch. Many clients also add a fall mulch to protect plants through the winter.
Related questions
What people also ask
How deep should spring mulch be?
About one to two inches to refresh established beds, and two to three inches for brand-new plantings. Keep the total layer to about three inches.
Do you remove the old mulch?
Usually not. Old mulch that has broken down becomes part of the soil. If it has matted into a crust water cannot get through, we remove it first.
What kind of mulch do you use?
Double-shredded brown hardwood mulch. Its finer texture knits together so it stays in place, looks even, and breaks down steadily into the soil.
Keep reading
More from the Learning Center
- What pests and diseases attack trees and shrubs in Northern Virginia? Scale, lace bugs, aphids, bagworms, spider mites, leaf spot, powdery mildew and winter burn: what to look for and when. Trees, shrubs and beds · 6 min read
- When should you prune shrubs and trees? Why timing depends on when a plant blooms, what can be cut any time, and the pruning mistakes most common in local yards. Trees, shrubs and beds · 5 min read
- How do you keep weeds out of your mulch beds? Why bed weeds keep coming back, how deep mulch should be, what landscape fabric really does, and the routine that works. Trees, shrubs and beds · 5 min read
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