Now that we are into fall and looking ahead to winter, it’s that time of year where temperatures start to decrease and eventually will dip well below freezing. For many plants and flowers, those frigid conditions can lead to damage unless they get an extra layer of protection.
That’s where mulch comes in as part of regular fall landscape maintenance services. In fact, mulching serves as one of the best blanket covers for things like strawberries, some perennials, and many other types of plants during cold conditions.
Winter mulch helps stop soil from either freezing and thawing conditions. It’s the repeated freezing and thawing that can force stems, roots, and bulbs/tubers to come out of the ground. Plus, this can severely damage or kill plants.
There are different types of mulch to consider. Straw is one type. The benefits are that straw offers good insulation, encourages sufficient air movement, and does not smother plants or flowers. Just one bale of straw can cover 100 square feet to a depth of at least three inches.
Other types of winter mulches to consider include bark chips, hay, chopped corn stalks, pine needles, or shredded leaves. Those mulches to avoid include whole leaves, sawdust, or grass clippings because they can form a thick mat and suffocate the flowers and plants.
Wood chip mulch is ideal for the root zone areas of trees and shrubs. However, plants like hardy shrub roses don’t need any winter protection like mulch. Yet, other types of rose plants may need a double layer of protection in the form of mulch and potting soil.
Leave the mulching to us. Contact us today for a monthly service plan that includes mulching for the winter of all your commercial landscape areas. We can ensure your plants, flowers, and shrubs make it through the winter while keeping a beautiful view for your customers.
