Panache Exterior Design

          Mulch, contrary to popular belief, is not just to make your garden look neat and pretty.

          The main job of mulch is to keep the soil under it moist as long as possible.  This works even better when you install soaker hoses and cover them with your mulch.

          The present rage in mulch seems to the black "midnight" or other colored mulches.  This mulch, frankly, does nothing for your soil; in fact, it leaches the nitrogen from the soil.  Also, it breaks down twice as fast as other mulch because it’s ground up so fine, which causes you to have to mulch 3 or 4 times per year instead just spring and fall.  On top of that, it often costs a premium in the first place.

          After it's been down a while, the midnight mulch crusts over, meaning that water runs off the hard surface instead of getting through the mulch, down to the plant roots.

          The best mulch for you garden beds depends on your soil PH and the type of plants and shrubs you are planting.

          You first need to determine the PH of your soil.  It may vary from one corner of your garden to another, so don’t assume that one test will suffice.  Test any soil that you will be planting.

          Next you will need to decide what you want to plant.  There are many plants that like a very acid soil, for example, azaleas, hydrangeas, and most conifers.  If you soil tests neutral or alkaline, you will need to amend the soil to be more acidic.

          You can do this by using a time-release fertilizer bead that you put in the hole before planting the plant.  Then you should use an acid-based mulch, such as Shredded Pine Bark.  This will leach acid into the soil every time it rains or you water.  You will need to check the PH 3 or 4 times a year to make sure you are on track.

          If what you’re planting needs a neutral or alkaline soil, any Hardwood Mulch will do nicely.