Mulch Musts for Pest-Free Spring Gardening

It’s Lawn and Garden Month, so plenty of people are getting their planting plans in order – including refreshing their mulch. Check out our top tips for choosing and placing mulch so that it doesn’t encourage pests to creep into your yard and home.

 

How to Choose the Right Mulch

Using mulch is a no-brainer for many gardeners because it helps to control weeds, retains moisture and keeps the soil at a more constant temperature. But when it comes to destructive insects not all mulches are created equal. Below are a few things to consider when making your mulch selection.

Color Considerations

The color of the mulch can actually have an affect on the type and number of insects that it attracts or repels. A 2000 study by the University of Tennessee found that black mulch attracted significantly more insects around tomato crops compared to silver reflective mulch. Other findings from the University of Florida have reported that silver, yellow and orange mulches were most effective at keeping bugs at bay. Overall, black mulch appears to be one of the most conducive colors for attracting insects.

Going Organic

One of the biggest mulch decisions is whether to use organic or inorganic materials. Both will provide the benefits mentioned above, but they are decidedly different. Inorganic mulch like crushed rock and ground tires doesn’t break down, so it lasts longer than organic options. However this means it don’t improve the soil. In fact, you may need to put down landscaping fabric so that the mulch doesn’t sink into the ground.

Organic mulches are made out of materials that will decompose over time. While this does mean you’ll have to replace your mulch more often, it will provide additional nutrients for your plants. However, this decomposition happens in part because of bugs. While many of the insects that roll around in the mulch aren’t harmful, it’s still something to keep in mind.

Coarse vs. Fine Mulch Materials

When you have an array of materials to choose from it’s better to go for chunky, coarse mulch rather than finer material options. The reason being that the coarse materials, like bark nuggets or cocoa hulls, aren’t as compact and won’t hold moisture for extended periods of time, which could attract termites.

How to Lay Down Mulch

Now that you’ve selected your mulch it’s time to add it to your garden beds. Follow the steps below for the most pest-proof mulching.

Step #1 – Prep the area by pulling weeds and laying down fertilizer.

Step #2 – Lay a layer of landscaping fabric if using heavy inorganic mulch.

Step #3 – Install the edging if you are choosing to use it around the bed.

Step #4 – Add the mulch. Mulch should never be next to the house or your deck! There should be at least several inches of gravel or rocks between the house and the mulch to keep bugs away from your foundation. It’s also advisable to leave an inch or two around the stems of the plants so they can breath easier and avoid becoming water logged.

Step #5 – Level out the mulch. Use a rake to spread the mulch into an even layer. Don’t lay down a super thick layer of organic mulch or it may hold moisture for too long. Keep it at just two to three inches thick. Remember, the deeper the mulch the more likely it is to attract termites. This is especially true in the rainy spring season.

 

Mulch is an easy way to improve the look and health of your garden beds. Just make sure to choose the right materials and lay it down properly to keep destructive insects away from your home and delicate plants.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/53313745@N00/4928130218

Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/garden-pest-control/mulch-musts-pest-free-spring-gardening/