How Often Should You Replace Mulch?

A variety of factors determines how often your mulch should be replaced, including the type of mulch you use in your landscaping. It is best to ensure that a sufficient amount of mulch is in place season after season because of the many benefits it provides. For most planting and landscaping applications, 2 to 3 inches of mulch is recommended. In Tampa, Florida, and the surrounding area, Cypress Creek Landscape Supply is the preferred place to buy mulch as well as the many other products and items needed in gardening and landscaping. A wide selection of different mulches is available in bulk at Cypress Creek Landscape Supply, such as shredded cypress mulch, three different sizes of pine bark mulch, and pine straw sold by the bale.

Benefits of Mulching

The maintenance involved with keeping mulch around your plants is worth it for the benefits provided.

Mulch contributes to the aesthetics of a garden, as well, helping to create a finished look. Benefits of mulching include the following:

• Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil.
• Over time, organic mulches break down and contribute to soil health. If you have poor soil fertility, the breakdown of mulch can be quite helpful to your gardening and landscaping efforts.
• Mulch helps to control weed growth.
• Injury to plants in winter is reduced if you have mulch around your plants.
• Protection from erosion can be a huge benefit of mulch.
• Plants with mulching also get better protection from mechanical injuries such as those caused by weed eaters and lawnmowers.
• Gnats, ticks, and fleas are effectively repelled when you use some types of mulches, including pinewood, cypress, and cedar chips.

How Often Should My Mulch be Replaced?

If you consider the appearance of mulch in your landscape, replenishment or replacement is usually needed after 1 to 2 years. Exposure to the elements changes its appearance and bare spots develop, as well. Undyed mulches may begin turning gray after a year or so. Following times of frequent heavy rains or if there is heavy foot traffic, you may need to add more mulch periodically throughout the year.

Practically speaking, the normal lifespan of organic mulch is between 5 and 6 years. Factors that determine how long mulch lasts include the type and size of mulch, sun exposure, rainfall, and weather conditions. Shredded mulch tends to wash away when it’s rainy or windy, and it usually needs replacement more frequently than nuggets or chips.

Dyed Mulches

The color lasts longer with dyed mulches, but it is important to make a distinction between cheaper dyed mulches and quality mulches. Negative impacts can occur as dye penetrates your soil when artificial processes are used to color the mulch. Before buying dyed mulch for your landscaping, be sure you understand what the dyed mulch is made with and the potential impact it could have on your soil.

There is no need to lose the many good benefits of mulch in your garden. Buy mulch in bulk at Cypress Creek Landscape Supply and keep some on hand throughout the year in case replenishment is needed. Our helpful experts can answer questions you have about mulch as well as any other landscaping topics. For all of your gardening needs, give us a call at 813-933-7944 or stop by to visit our two-acre landscape center and oasis located at 12734 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL.