The results of a well-maintained lawn are apparent- appealing aesthetics and functional value. However, in the context of sustainability, the realities of heat stress and drought mean that you may struggle to use water and other resources judiciously.
With mulch, you can transform your landscaping practices into one of sustainable value. Mulching is a time-honed practice that can help you carry out sustainable landscaping to help you save landscape maintenance costs in the short and long run. Here are some of its benefits:
Prevents erosion
Adding a layer of mulch to your landscape soil prevents erosion. One of the mulch’s properties is absorbency, which helps essential nutrients and soil to stay put.
Mulching also protects against water and wind erosion, protecting against soil runoff and helping soil stay in place during large gusts of wind. It provides cover for rainwater to filter through and penetrate the soil without dislodging it.
Adds aesthetic quality
In the bid to keep your landscape looking its very best, you may consume a lot of resources. Mulching is a great and sustainable way to add an aesthetic quality to your yard.
Weeds aren’t great to look at, but mulch is the opposite. With a nice dark layer of topper mulch set against brightly colored plants, you can increase the aesthetic value of a boring lawn.
Weed suppression
Rather than use environmentally-hazardous chemicals to battle weeds, you can take the mulching approach.
Mulching the right areas of the landscape blocks out the vital light that pesky weeds need for growth via photosynthesis, thus preventing them from reaching the surface.
Moisture conservation
In drought-prone areas, it’s essential to adopt sustainable landscaping practices for saving costs and regulatory compliance.
Organic mulching efficiently conserves soil moisture by covering the soil surface, thus reducing evaporation and transpiration. In many cases, it can reduce the need for frequent watering and even shield plants and trees from winter and drought damage.
Types of mulch
You can choose either organic or inorganic mulch:
Organic mulch
Organic mulching involves covering the soil with materials that can decompose naturally. This includes agricultural wastes like sawdust, rice hulls, compost, plant leaves, paddy straw, grass clippings, or bark chips. As they decay over time, the water-holding capacity of soil increases.
Inorganic mulch
Inorganic mulches consist of synthetic materials like plastics, geotextiles, and even rocks that either don’t decompose or only do so after extended periods. Inorganic mulches have a high aesthetic quality.
Note that not all inorganic mulch is suitable in all scenarios. For instance, colored glass shards draw in heat, which isn't healthy for your plants. Chewed-up tire pieces can also leach chemicals into the soil.
Work with Atlanta Professional Landscaping for sustainable landscape maintenance
In a world where sustainable practices are increasingly becoming important, you should strive to ensure that your landscaping practices are resource-friendly and cost-saving.
Contact us for landscape maintenance that works for your lawn and saves valuable resources. Call 770-434-0933 today to request a quote.