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The Grounds Keeper
Your trusted source for landscaping news.
April 2015
Volume 1, Issue 2
The Value of Mulch
“Mulch is worth much more than you may think.”
Your Plants Might
Have Winter Injury
While your landscape plants and trees
are leafing out and blossoming this
spring, we have received a number of
calls related to pale colored leaves,
rust colored spots and what looks like
damaged stems.
Low temperatures, ice and heavy
snow have caused winter injury on
plants weakened by the drought last
year and year before last.
Winter injury takes several forms:
•
Exposed root damage
•
Stem splitting
Aside from improved aesthetics, do you know mulch actually provides a number of important benefits to your landscape?
•
Deicing salt injury
•
Desiccation (Winter drying)
1. Reduced moisture loss;
2. Reduced temperature fluctuation of the soil (cooler in the
summer and warmer in the winter);
3. Addition of organic matter that improves moisture and
nutritional retention of soil as well as improved soil structure;
4. Enhanced soil-based microorganism activity which
turns decaying matter into nutrients available for plant
growth;
•
Ice and snow breakage
Weakened plants are particularly vulnerable.
WHAT TO DO
Be on the watch for signs of injury. If
you are unsure, call our office for
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Primary Grounds, 5234 W. Stones Crossing Road, Greenwood, IN 46143 - (317) 422 9755
The Grounds Keeper
Vol 1(2) - April 2015, Page 2
Value of Mulch
(continued from Page 1)
4. Enhanced soil-based microorganism activity which
turns decaying matter into nutrients available for plant
growth;
5. Weed growth suppression;
6. Reduced soil erosion.
Winter Injury
(continued from Page 1)
for help. We will send our expert
horticulturalist to assist with the
evaluation.
Inspect plants early in the spring.
Damaged plants are more susceptible to additional stress from insects
and disease.
Do not prune too early. Wait until
growth resumes.
Types of Mulch
Mulch can be almost any material, organic (such as wood chips,
straw, peat moss) or inorganic (such as stones, plastic mulch,
fabrics and mats). Organic mulch provides more benefits than
inorganic, but organic mulch decomposes and consequently it
must be replenished each year.
You will find mulches that are recycled wood and wood-based
products that are shredded with an added coloring agent. They
may look nice in the store and right after adding them to your
landscape, but they tend to decompose faster and may contain
toxic substances that you would not want to have near your garden or children’s play areas.
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Fertilization and mulching can
help.
Consider soil analysis.
Watch for pests that can cause
further damage. Visible cracks in
stems and branches should heal.
Primary Grounds is a leading expert
in landscape plant and tree care.
Call us today if you have any questions. 317-422-9755
Primary Grounds, 5234 W. Stones Crossing Road, Greenwood, IN 46143 - (317) 422 9755
The Grounds Keeper
Vol 1(2) - April 2015, Page 3
Value of Mulch
(continued from Page 2)
Mulch Application
Here are some suggestions for adding
mulch:
Don’t put it on too thick. Thick mulch
will actually raise the temperature rather
high as decomposition occurs drying it out
more quickly and making it more susceptible to fungi which can cause the mulch to
repel water.
Thick mulch can also slow down water
evaporation from damp soil keeping it too
wet for a prolonged period which can contribute to root rot and oxygen deprivation.
Keep mulch around 1 to 3 inches thick for best results.
Water newly installed wood or bark mulch. Newly applied mulch can dry out creating conditions
favorable for fungi which can cause the mulch to repel water. Applying some moisture immediately
after installation helps to retain that moisture in the mulch.
Do not pile up mulch against tree trunks or plant crowns. Since mulch reduces moisture loss,
placing it against plants or trees creates a favorable environment for diseases such as crown rot.
When piled around plants, it can provide an attractive hiding place for plant eating rodents.
Mulching by Primary Grounds
Primary Grounds uses McCarty Mulch & Stone of Greenwood as our mulch supplier. They manufacture and process their own hardwood mulches, fine mulches and color enhanced mulches to their
specifications to control quality.
If you need assistance with mulching your landscape, look no further than our team at Primary
Grounds. Our experts will assess your need, discuss options with you and professionally install your
mulch.
[Reference: Mulch Basics, Peƫnelli & TamseƩ, Univ. of ConnecƟcut, CooperaƟve Extension System Fact Sheet]
Call Primary Grounds today at 317-422-9755
to schedule a one-time FREE Arborist Assessment of your trees and ornamental plants.
Primary Grounds, 5234 W. Stones Crossing Road, Greenwood, IN 46143 - (317) 422 9755