Mulching / Edging
Needham, Newton, Dedham, West Roxbury, MA and more

Benefits of
MulchING:

See Also:

• Property Maintenance
• Spring / Fall Clean-Up
• Mulching / Edging
• Lawn Mowing
• Tree / Shrub Care
• Landscape Design
• Plantings
• Lawn Aeration
• Lawn Installation
• Fertilizer
• Mosquito & Tick Spraying
• Bi-Mix Compost Blowing
• Landscape Construction
• Landscape Design
• Site Work Contractor
• Patios, Walkways, Pool Deck Design, Fire pits, Outdoor Kitchens, Retaining Walls, And More

What is Mulch and Why Is It Beneficial To Me?

Mulch, a material spread over the soil surface as a covering, serves multiple purposes. It helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, regulates soil temperature, and enhances the appearance of flower beds. As various types of mulch decompose, they can also improve soil fertility.

Types of mulch include:

• Bark, shredded or chipped
• Compost
• Composted manure
• Grass clippings
• Newspaper
• Shredded leaves
• Straw

Applying mulch to your property is advantageous, as it fosters a healthier environment for flowers, plants, and shrubs. By insulating the soil, mulch maintains moisture and prevents weed growth. Furthermore, mulching around your property can boost curb appeal and increase property value.

How Many Yards Of Mulch Will I Need?

Determining the amount of mulch needed for your property can be challenging without knowing the specific details. Typically, one cubic yard of mulch can cover 100 square feet (a 10×10 foot area) at a depth of 3 inches. This depth is usually adequate for most situations.

To calculate the amount of mulch required, measure the length and width of each area where you want to apply mulch and multiply these dimensions to find the area in square feet. Add the square footage of all areas to obtain the total square footage that needs coverage.

Consider the depth of mulch you want to apply. For most flower beds and vegetable gardens, a depth of 2 to 3 inches is appropriate. If you need stronger weed or grass suppression, consider a 6-inch layer.

Inviting a professional to measure your property accurately is the best approach, ensuring cost-efficiency and sparing you the physical strain of clearing weeds and laying mulch on your own.

How Come I Can’t Get My Edging To Look The Right Way?

Equipment and expertise make all the difference. We handle landscaping tasks almost every day of the year, while most people only tackle them on weekends. In the time it would take you to mix the oil/gas mixture for your weed wacker, our team would have already gone through your entire yard with professional edging equipment, cleaned up, and prepared the truck for the next job.

When working around flower beds and trees, our crews use a redefiner head with an M-shaped blade, which creates a more pronounced trench for a clearer edge. For new properties or at the beginning of the season, we use a powered walk-behind bed edger to establish those edges, which are then maintained with a hand-held stick edger.

Consistency is key when it comes to edging and trimming. Every time we mow a yard, we also edge and trim around flower beds, fences, and sidewalks. Since this is done regularly, it’s crucial to follow the proper lines, especially when edging around flower beds using a trimmer.

It’s important not to over-edge; if you remove too much material every week, flower beds can become enlarged over time. You only need to trim off a small amount, usually around one-eighth of an inch or less, just enough to give your yard a fresh look.

 How To Keep Weeds Out Of Mulch

Using landscape fabric is an effective way to prevent weeds for an extended period when establishing a bed. After planting trees, plants, and flowers and cutting bed edges, lay down landscape fabric before mulching to create a barrier that prevents weed germination. Landscape fabric can be purchased at any garden supply store and is easy to cut to size for installation. Depending on the thickness of the material, it will generally last anywhere from 2 to 5 years in most situations.

If weeds are already present in an existing bed, they need to be eradicated first. Pull weeds that have germinated within or directly next to ornamental plants, and spray a product containing glyphosate (such as Roundup) on weeds that are out in the open. Always exercise caution when using a product like Roundup, as it is absorbed through a plant’s foliage and should not make contact with any ornamental plants. Once the bed is free of weeds, apply a granular pre-emergent product throughout the bed. There are numerous brands of granulated pre-emergent products, but look for one with an active ingredient labeled as prodiamine or pendimethalin. As the product is watered in, it will form a barrier within the soil, preventing the germination of future annual weeds.

Why Would You Worry About Mulching / Edging…
When We Can Take Care Of It Quicker!

Recognizing when you need help and not being ashamed to ask for it is important. It’s true that hiring someone can initially feel demoralizing, especially if you take great pride in handling your own gardening tasks. However, sometimes it’s best to leave some of the bigger tasks to local professionals. They have the extra manpower and specialized equipment to tackle various projects on your property efficiently and effectively.

Organic mulches will gradually decompose and require replenishment to maintain their effectiveness. Shallow plant roots can grow up and into moist mulch, but they may die if the mulch is allowed to decay or wash away. The frequency of mulch replenishment depends on the type of mulching material used. Grass clippings and leaves decompose quickly and need frequent replenishment. In contrast, other organic mulches like cypress mulch, pine bark, and wood chips break down slowly and only need to be replenished every year or two.

Save time and energy by delegating labor-intensive tasks to professionals, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your home or business.