Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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. Use our mulch calculator (on the left of this page) to estimate your specific mulching 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 pigments, as well as the other ingredients 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 up to a season. Please be aware that the sun will have a direct impact on the color of your mulch. If the mulch beds are periodically raked out it will significantly help keep the color vibrant and your garden looking at its best!

How often is re-mulching required?
Raking the mulch at periodic intervals will rejuvenate the beds and allow additional aeration to plant roots which is beneficial for plant growth. The following season rake the mulch bed and then top dress if needed. Use care not to over-mulch.

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.

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 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.

Please give us a call at 203-790-1155 with any additional questions.