Seasonal mulching

When those warm Spring days finally arrive, it seems like the sun shines down like a spotlight on our unkempt yards and flower beds. It can be tempting to want to cover things up with mulch and make it look perfect right away, however it’s harmful to your yard when you mulch too early.

During the winter months, soil is exposed to freezing temperatures and needs to warm in the spring. If you mulch too early, the insulation could prevent the soil from fully warming and make it difficult for your plants to grow. Usually, mid to late spring is the best time to mulch. This is especially true in Oregon, where temperatures sometimes don’t consistently rise until mid-April. You can always spread a thin layer of mulch mid spring, let your plants have a good foundation, and then go back and add more mulch later.

If you have winter mulch in your garden, it is recommended to slowly remove it as the weather gets warmer. If you take it all away at once, it could expose your new growth and shock the plants if the weather suddenly becomes cold again.

On the other hand, mulching too late is just as bad as mulching too early.  If you mulch too late in the spring or summer months, it won’t help your plants since the soil has already dried out. Also, mulching too late will not prevent the growth of weeds in your yard.

You can mulch during the winter months to help keep your year-round plants happy and prevent soil movement and erosion. Again, if you mulch too early in the winter it causes stress to the plant and can weaken it. The best time to apply winter mulch is after the first freezing temperature of the season.

Whether it’s summer or winter, mulching can provide benefits to your yard. If you are patient with your mulching, not only will you have a beautiful yard, but a happy and healthy one too. If you’re ready to get mulching, check out our variety of products

Have more questions on mulching? Feel free to contact us! We’d be happy to help.

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/publication-answers-mulching-questions

https://www.marthastewart.com/1537779/right-time-mulch-garden-explained

https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/landscaping-with-mulch

https://www.oregonlive.com/hg/2015/12/guide_to_winter_mulches.html