Mulching offers multiple benefits to lawns and gardens. Such as limiting weed growth, improving soil structure, as well as protecting plants from injury caused by lawn mowers and other mechanical items.

• Make sure your mulch is not too close to the base or trunk of the plant, as it could cause decay and winter injury.
• Plastic is not recommended as mulch material, as it does not decompose and can trap excess moisture.
• Avoid using plastic under mulch because the soil underneath the plastic will dry out, inhibiting the growth of deep roots.
• A good mulch mixture can consist of shredded hardwood bark or cypress, pine needles, and pine bark nuggets.
• For shrubs, trees and ground covers, use a one-to-three inch layer of mulch. A one-inch layer is ideal for most ornamental plants.