The month of May is the month of mulch. So, we are sharing a series of articles, videos and photos of landscape transformations focusing on mulch. These articles will provide general information about mulch, mulch colorants and mulch-crete, which holds mulch in place and prevents mulch from eroding from areas such as slopes and hills.
Mulch colorant is the optimal choice when mulch color has faded and adding more mulch is either unnecessary, laborious or would harm plant health when mulch becomes too deep or thick.
This article in the Month of Mulch series explores:
- When to add more mulch
- When to remove and replace existing mulch
- When to apply colorant to mulch
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Transform mulch with a back-saving, money-saving approach of Endurant mulch colorant applied with a simple garden sprayer. Long-lasting & earth-friendly.[/caption]
There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether to add more mulch, replace mulch or
add colorant to existing mulch.
Answering these questions will help you decide whether to add, replace or paint mulch:
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Are you mulching mainly for aesthetics and beautification of the landscape?
If yes,
Endurant mulch colorant, which comes in various colors ranging from black to pinestraw, is a great way to keep rich color in the mulch and add contrast for an eye-popping garden or landscape. Also, save labor and the cost of adding more mulch with the easy application of colorant using a pump sprayer.
(Our next blog will explore more about how to apply mulch colorants. In the meantime, check out this video: How to paint mulch.)
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Are you mulching mainly for the health of the plant?
Maintaining mulch at 2 to 3 inches thick is the general recommendation for water retention, weed prevention, pest control and disease prevention. The thickness recommended depends in-part upon the type of mulch.
Once the mulch depth is reached and can be maintained,
Endurant mulch colorant is used to keep the mulch or pinestraw a vibrant, rich color. Too much mulch can be hazardous to plant health, which we explain below.
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Are you mulching mainly for the environmental benefits of decreasing water usage?
This is a great reason to mulch! Maintaining about 2 to 3 inches of mulch, depending upon the type of mulch, will help conserve water.
Endurant mulch colorant, which is made with organic pigments and high quality binders, can help to decrease labor of adding or replacing mulch & avoid the hazards of having too much mulch on the ground, while adding color contrast to the garden or landscape.
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Are you mulching as an alternative to the usage of harsh chemicals that prevent the growth of weeds or undesired plants?
Mulch is a perfect alternative to herbicides and weed killers. Maintain mulch at approximately 2 to 3 inches thick and weeds will not grow where you don't want them.
Endurant mulch colorant can further beautify the landscaped area by keeping the mulch or pinestraw a vibrant color with Endurant's high quality, organic pigments combined with lasting binders specific for use on mulch, bark and pinestraw.
All or none of the above:
If you do not care at all about the aesthetics or beautification of the landscape, then mulch can last up to two years without needing to add any more mulch.
All mulch will generally biodegrade in 3 to 4 years. Many landscape professionals recommend re-mulching once to twice each year or using
colorant once or twice each year as an alternative. The main determining factor is the thickness of the remaining mulch.
Endurant mulch colorant is used once or twice annually as long as the optimal mulch depth is maintained. Depending upon the desired richness of color, Endurant can keep mulch beautiful and effective for up to 2-3 years before mulch may need to be replaced.
Too much mulch is unhealthy for plants and trees
Avoid over-mulching by using Endurant mulch colorant
More mulch should not be added once mulch is 5 to 6 inches thick. Mulch that is too thick can strangle the roots and stems of desired plants or trees leading to their death. Avoid piling too much mulch against stems and tree trunks. Too much mulch also leads to waterlogged plant roots, increasing disease. Instead of adding mulch, use
Endurant mulch colorants to add color depth instead of deeper mulch.
Mulch is needed most at the base of plants to retain the moisture. Mulch also helps protect the plant stems or tree trunks for insects from attacking the base of plants where nematodes can cause the most damage. Mulch is very often used to prevent weeds and unwanted plant growth. A minimum of one inch is required and usually 2-3 inches of mulch is best.
Laying and spreading mulch can be hard work.
Using Endurant mulch colorant saves on labor.
Read more in this blog: "
Save Your Back with Endurant Black"
When to replace mulch instead of paint:
If there is a known pathogen in the mulch that has led to plant disease, remove the old mulch and replace it with new mulch.
Check back soon for our next article on "How to apply mulch colorant."
In the meantime, if you haven't already, check out Before and after photos of mulch makeovers with Endurant
