How much mulch should I apply?
As a general rule of thumb, you should apply mulch at a depth of two to four inches. Use less mulch for heavy, clay soils and more for lighter, sandy soils. Click here to go to our mulch formula page to figure your specific needs.

Are the colorants safe for my plants and animals?
Yes! The raw materials used to make our colorants are made from naturally occurring colors found in the earth's surface. These colorants, as well as the other ingredients in used are specially formulated to be nontoxic to plants and animals.

How long does the mulch maintain its color?
Color-enhanced mulch will typically maintain its color for more than one year, compared to other mulches, which turn gray or white after just a few weeks.

Do the colors ever wash off the mulch?
No. Once the colors dry, they are on the mulch permanently. You will not experience any color wash-off or leaching.

Will termites interact with mulch?
Termites tend to interact with most forms of cellulose wood fiber regardless of the source or type. However, mulch is an unattractive source of food because of its small particle size (termites tend to prefer larger masses of wood). If homeowners have problems with termites in their area, the best course of action is preventive care. When placing mulch around a home, common recommendations include keeping a six-inch trench between the top of the mulch and the veneer on the house. An additional preventive measure includes dusting the trench with a termiticide on a yearly basis.

Is mulch detrimental to plant growth?
No. Using mulch will actually help your plants grow better by inhibiting weed growth and preventing weeds from breaking through the soil. Mulch also keeps the soil surface cool and helps it retain moisture. Another added bonus is the beauty and variety that mulch brings to your landscape.

Does mulch deplete nitrogen levels in the soil?
As the mulch wood breaks down initially, it will use up some of the nitrogen in the soil. However, after the fiber decomposes, it will restore the nitrogen back to the soil. The best way to maintain good plant growth is to implement and follow recommended fertilizer programs, a good horticultural practice regardless of whether or not mulch is used. For example, you may want to gently work a specially formulated fertilizer (like 16-9-12, 18-11-12, or 20-10-10) into the soil before mulching.

How often is remulching required?
Raking the mulch at four to six month intervals will rejuvenate the beds and allow additional aeration to plant roots, which is beneficial for plant growth. After about a year (and on a yearly basis thereafter), rake the mulch bed, then top dress it with one to two inches of new mulch. Use care not to over-mulch.

WHY MULCH?

Why do gardeners bother to place mulch around landscaping plants? Is it simply due to the aesthetic appeal of mulch in the landscape? Although mulch dramatically improves appearance, the primary reasons for mulching involve plant health and longevity. As most anyone who has experienced the results of gardening with and without mulch will attest, the results are remarkably different. We have compiled the following list of the benefits of mulching:

Mulches prevent loss of water from the soil by evaporation.
Mulches reduce the growth of weeds, when the mulch material itself is weed-free and applied deeply enough to prevent weed germination or to smother existing weeds.
Mulches keep the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, thus maintaining a more even soil temperature.
Mulches prevent soil splashing, which not only stops erosion but keeps soil-borne diseases from splashing up onto the plants.
Mulches prevent crusting of the soil surface, thus improving the absorption and movement of water into the soil.
Mulches prevent the trunks of trees and shrubs from damage by lawn equipment.
Mulches help prevent soil compaction.
Mulches can add to the beauty of the landscape by providing a cover of uniform color and interesting texture to the surface.
Mulched plants have more roots than plants that are not mulched, because mulched plants will produce additional roots in the mulch that surrounds them.