A fresh layer of mulch is the quickest way to make a landscape look cared for. In Central Florida it also earns its keep: our sandy soil dries out fast, and mulch holds that moisture in, keeps roots cooler and blocks the light weeds need to sprout.
Depth is where most people go wrong. Aim for about 2 to 3 inches. Less than that and weeds push through; much more and water has trouble reaching the roots, and the bed can stay soggy after heavy summer rain.
Keep mulch pulled back a few inches from tree trunks, shrub stems and your home's foundation. Mulch piled against a trunk — sometimes called a mulch volcano — holds moisture against the bark and invites rot and pests. Against the house, it can give termites a hidden path to the wood.
Before new mulch goes down, clean the bed out. Pull the weeds, rake out leaves and old debris, and cut a clean edge so the mulch stays where it belongs. Spreading fresh mulch on top of weeds only hides them for a few weeks.
Organic mulches like pine bark, pine straw and hardwood break down over time, which feeds the soil but means the layer gets thinner. In our heat and rain, most beds look best with a top-up once or twice a year.
JP&K Green Solutions LLC cleans out beds, defines the edges and installs mulch at the right depth across Avon Park, Sebring, Lake Placid, Frostproof and Lake Wales. Call (863) 991-2140 for a free estimate.