What is Mulch?
What is mulch?
It’s a layer of material used as a covering over exposed soil. There are many materials you can use for this purpose, but the primary types you should consider in your garden or flower beds are those from natural and biodegradable materials. Pine straw, wood chips, and pine bark – are all examples of beneficial mulch because they decompose and provide additional benefits to your soil.
Why use Mulch for Your Landscaping/Garden
Retains Moisture – Mulch acts as an insulating barrier against evaporation from heat and wind. Mulch holds moisture in the soil, allowing you to cut down dramatically on the frequency and duration of watering. This encourages established plants to be more drought tolerant, but it can also make all the difference for the success of new shrubs and trees.
Moderates Soil Temperature – Many of a plant’s feeder roots grow in the first few inches underneath the soil surface. A mulch layer acts as a buffer against temperature shift. Also, heat from the sun can bake exposed soil and create a crust which inhibits water from penetrating the surface. When temperatures drop, a blanket of snow can provide protection; but without snow or a mulch layer, an overnight frost or sustained freezing temperatures can kill or damage feeder roots.
Suppresses Weed Germination and Growth – Proper use of mulch will significantly reduce weeds. With a layer of mulch covering your garden soil, the weed seeds lurking there won’t receive the light they need to germinate, and mulch can block the seeds which blow in on the wind from reaching soil and taking root.
Why use Pine Straw?
Pine straw mulch is primarily good for suppressing weeds, retaining moisture in the soil, and providing a natural, acidic environment for plants that thrive in slightly acidic conditions, like azaleas, camellias, and blueberries; it can also help to repel some pests and insects due to its natural properties.
A layer of Pine Straw helps keeps the roots of tender plants from freezing. Pine Straw interlocks and holds together during hard rains and heavy winds, even on sloping landscapes. Because Pine Straw interlocks, pine straw will not wash out of beds like other mulches.
Delivery & Installation
A Beautiful Landscape requires professional installation with attention to detail.
We take pride in delivering professional pine straw installations for residential clients, HOA’s, as well as commercial properties. Our team spreads the pine straw in a thick layer to ensure good overlap of material, providing great coverage for your beds and natural areas. As a finishing touch, we “roll” the edges to lock material into bed and provide a clean & polished look.
Rolling or Curling
At Lilly’s Pine Straw, we strive to provide professional installation with extra care and attention to detail. “Rolling or Curling” is the process, where we use a blower to “roll or tuck” the pine straw down and back under itself. This process is also often used to remove excess debris and ensure the straw is settled properly. This technique creates a defined bed with raised edges, delivering a clean and polished look.
