As colder weather rolls in, there is more to do to prepare your landscape for the autumn season than one might think. To keep your yard looking healthy and vibrant, especially as the cold winter temperatures arrive, mulch and compost are a must!
Mulch
Mulch is any material that can be spread over the soil’s surface around plants to be used as a covering. Mulch can be made from various materials, but the most common variety comprises wood chips, leaves, grass clippings, or rocks. Here are a few ways that mulch can benefit your yard:
- Insulation: With the temperatures dropping, mulch acts as a layer of insulation for the roots of your plants from the cold.
- Moisture Retention: Mulching helps retain moisture within the soil and reduces the need for frequent watering.
- Weed Control: Adding a dense layer of mulch inhibits weeds from growing by blocking the sunlight.
- Prevents Erosion: Mulch is applied on top of the soil and acts as a shield for your soil when excessive rainfall or wind ensues.
Make sure that mulch is spread evenly but not too thick! The ideal layer of mulch is around 2 to 3 inches thick to ensure that air circulates throughout the soil and does not suffocate the plants. RAC Materials carries a variety of mulches such as Black, Brown, Cedar, Red, and Pine Bark that you can implement into your yard, giving your plants a chance to survive the colder months!
Compost
Additional support for your plants can be found in compost! Compost is a mixture of ingredients that is used to fertilize plants and enrich soil. RAC Materials’ Mushroom Bedding Compost is comprised of peat moss, chopped straw, gypsum, chicken manure, urea, potash, and ammonium nitrate. The blend creates the perfect combination for adding nutrients to your soil. Some benefits of adding compost to your yard are:
- Nutrient Boost: Compost is made up of many different properties and is nutrient-packed to rejuvenate old soil and balance out your soil if it is too acidic or alkaline.
- Microbial Activity: Compost is filled with beneficial microorganisms that keep your soil healthy and fertile.
- Improved Water Retention: Compost is the barrier between your mulching and soil and acts as a sponge, soaking up the moisture and improving water retention within your yard.
Using compost in your yard this fall helps add the extra nutrients your plants need, as well as protect it from the harsh weather it might encounter. From soil to compost, RAC Materials has the perfect solution for saving your yard.
Visit RAC Materials to see what kind of mulch and compost would benefit your yard.