EDDIE SEAGLE: Mulches come in many different forms

“In November, some birds move away and some birds stay. The air is full of good-byes and well-wishes. The birds who are leaving look very serious. No silly spring chirping now. They have long journeys and must watch where they are going. The staying birds are serious, too, for cold times lie ahead. Hard times. All berries will be treasures.”

— Cynthia Rylant

The weather is unusually warm for this time of year. It appears that our first killing frost will be delayed until later in the season. Our lawns are still green but growth has slowed down significantly. Plans are being made for our Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. And our landscape beds await as refreshing mulches are on their way.

Mulches are the final touch in curb appeal and give the landscape a look of unity and completeness. However, landscapes should look great throughout the year, not just when they have been recently mulched. Mulching choices help determine the overall effect in aesthetic appearance. Mulches come in many different forms. Organic mulches are effective, but mineral and synthetic (inorganic) mulches can also make good mulching choices.

Advantages of the mineral mulches (stone, pea gravel, etc.) over the organic materials (bark, pine straw, etc.) include their ability to withstand wind conditions and remain intact, their significance in not harboring weed seeds or diseases, and their neutral impact on soil chemistry (do not rob the soil of nitrogen).

Mineral mulches (fine textured and coarse textured) are used in shrub beds, driveways, walkways, foundation beds and in steps. Crushed stone and gravel are appropriate mulches for rock gardens and select beds. Some mineral mulches can be custom colored to blend in with features of the home or landscape.

The disadvantages of mineral mulch particles include being thrown by rotary lawn mowers during mowing (potentially causing injury or damage to people and property) and their tendency to migrate downward into the soil profile over time. The latter can be corrected by using a synthetic fabric placed between the mulch and the soil surface. Also, mineral mulches do not contribute any beneficial organic matter to the soil.

Geotextiles (or landscape fabrics) have been significant in mulches over the last several years. These woven and nonwoven fabrics of polypropylene or polyester are an improvement over the traditional black plastics. They will block weed growth, reduce surface evaporation and allow water, fertilizer and oxygen to penetrate easily into the soil.

However, if they are used alone as mulches, geotextiles can be degraded and weakened by the effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. These geotextiles are used more frequently as liners between the mulch and the soil, thus enhancing the weed-suppressing ability of the mulch while separating the mulch and soil.

Since several geotextiles are on the market, it is critical to choose the proper fabric. Factors to consider in the selection process include the ease of applying the material to the landscape, the ease with which water penetrates through it, the effectiveness of the material in suppressing weed growth and the relative cost.

Before any geotextile is placed on the ground, the subject area must be cleaned of all weeds and the surface shaped for effective surface drainage. Most manufacturers suggest that the installer lay the fabric into position and carefully cut small slits where plants are to be installed.

However, most landscapers who have worked with these geotextiles have found that the application is more accommodating when the shrubs are planted in weed-free soil. The fabric is laid onto the ground and cuts are made to allow the fabric to be worked around the base of each plant. The final step is to apply a 1- to 3-inch layer of mulch on top of the geotextile to improve appearance (curb appeal), reduce wear and decrease deterioration caused by the sun’s rays.

Rubber mulches are environmentally-friendly and money-saving alternatives to the traditional bark and wood mulches for landscaping projects. Rubber mulches are more durable, cost-effective and lower maintenance than wood mulches, stone and other traditional landscaping materials. Also, they do not harbor harmful pests like termites, rodents or spiders, and they are resistant to mold and fungus. Available in fade-resistant colors, rubber landscape mulches are a superior landscape solution for your residential or commercial projects.

Rubber mulches are available in several colors including black, gray, redwood, brown, green and blue. They keep their fade-resistant color for several years, will not crack, splinter, blow or wash away, will not compress or decompose, will not harbor insects or diseases and will not absorb water or freeze. They save trees and provide an opportunity to recycle, thus reducing the scrap tire count at landfills. They are non-allergenic and harmless to plants, pets and children without depleting our natural resources and are excellent choices for landscape beds and playgrounds.

Synthetic pine straw is an excellent alternative to natural pine straw, which is in high demand and varies in age, color, quality, price, etc. and decomposes readily (about two months of quality curb appeal from initial placement). Synthetic pine straw is made from recycled polypropylene which does not absorb water or chemicals. It is recycled easily from bottle scrap, carpet backing, fiber and yarn.

Synthetic pine straw is an excellent choice for commercial and industrial properties wanting quality curb appeal. Also, it is an excellent choice for homeowners who want an attractive appearance in the landscape and a favorable environment for their plants and flowers.

The downside of using these mulches in landscape beds under existing trees and large shrubs is the contamination from falling leaves and needles onto the existing mulch surface. If you have selected a mulch different from these falling leaves or needles then clean-up can be problematic, but do-able.

May the results of your immediate efforts be long-lasting so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labor for seasons to come. Think sustainability and native plants. Keep your hanging baskets and potted plants refreshed with water and food. Select awesome seasonal plants for the upcoming holidays. Plan a road trip to enjoy Christmas lights with all that splendor and beauty of the season. Remember to feed and water the songbirds, and give your pets the care they need (do not leave them unattended in a hot car or tied to a tree all day long). Also, be on lookout for children playing along the streets and roadways throughout our communities. Don’t drive distracted or impaired, and don’t text while driving. Let’s keep everyone safe. It’s an awesome season!

“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:10.

Eddie Seagle is a sustainability associate, Golf Environment Organization (Scotland); agronomist and horticulturalist, CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International); professor emeritus and honorary alumnus, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and associate editor of The Golf Course, International Journal of Golf Science. Direct inquiries to [email protected].