Mulch FAQs

Cypress Creek Landscape Supply answers frequently asked questions below. You can always visit our Garden Center and ask our experts any other questions you may have plus get all the supplies needed for your garden. Mulch, topsoil, pebbles, and other gardening supplies are available in bulk.

landscapes and gardens

Fresh mulch added to a landscape looks great but that’s just one of many benefits. Other purposes include that mulch:

Suppresses and helps to prevent the growth of weeds.
Slows evaporation of moisture.
Gradually breaks down and improves the texture of the soil underneath.
Helps to moderate the temperature of the soil.
Buffers soil compaction that occurs when it rains. This helps to prevent the formation of crusted-over bare soil, which can impede the absorption of moisture.
Can repel insects, if the mulch is made with pinewood, cedar, or cypress.

What are the top four types of mulch used in South Florida?

The following are the four most popular kinds of mulch used in South Florida and why they are preferred:

Shredded pine bark is the mulch least likely to change color. It decomposes and enriches the soil and a garden’s health. Because the bark interlocks, it doesn’t easily wash away, making it popular for use on slopes.

Pine straw that falls from pine trees is sometimes raked into bales and used as mulch. The benefits of using pine straw include that it stays put and cools the soil. Like pine bark, it slowly breaks down and is used on slopes.

Shredded cypress mulch is resistant to washing away in heavy rains. The mulch makes it easier for water to soak into roots. It retains its color well and provides nutritional benefits as it gradually decomposes.

One of the most affordable and popular mulching options is dyed mulch. It’s not made from natural wood, though. Instead, it’s made by grinding up pallets and other types of junk wood. The color can fade. Dyed mulch should not be used in organic vegetable gardens because of the dye it contains.

What’s the worst mulch to use?

Mulch made from shredded recycled tires is just an all-around bad idea for gardens. The rubber doesn’t break down to help enrich the soil, as organic mulch does. Instead, mulch from tires can endanger birds, causing them to choke. Note: Although rocks also don’t decompose, stones and pebbles are beneficial for use as mulch in certain landscapes and zones.

how much mulch should I use?

In general, a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch is ideal. Do not dump mulch on grass because it could kill the lawn. Transfer mulch from a wheelbarrow to your garden beds using your hands, a mulch fork, or a shovel.

When using organic mulch, about half of it will decompose and nourish the soil by the time you replenish your mulch.

Leave a couple of inches between the mulch and the trunks of shrubs and trees. Do not pile mulch in a heap around trunks because doing so would invite disease and pests.

To keep your garden looking fresh, it’s a good practice to add a bit after working in certain areas, to cover bare spots.

Is mulching done every year?

Yes, mulching is recommended every year. Note that over-mulching can harm plants, which could suffer from:

Insects nesting in the mulch
Rot forming in the trunks of trees
The roots being deprived of an adequate amount of air circulation.

Should I add mulch for plants in containers such as pots?

To keep moisture in and roots cool, you can add mulch in plant containers. For some plants, small pea stones can be used and for others, compost is a good choice. Ask the experts at Cypress Creek Landscape Supply what may be best for the specific plants in your containers.

Visit Cypress Creek Landscape Supply

Save time with our one-stop Garden Center at Cypress Creek Landscape Supply. We strive to carry all the inventory that will cover the needs of landscapers and gardeners in and around Tampa FL. We have the chemicals, tools, landscape boulders, flowers, shrubs, trees, bushes, river rocks, and all necessary supplies to ensure a stunning Florida lawn and garden. If there is anything you may need that we don’t have, we will pull out all the stops to get it for you. Visit us today at 12734 N. Florida Avenue or call (813) 933-7944.