When is the Best Time to Put Down Mulch in Central Texas?
Mulching is an important part of your landscaping strategy in Central Texas. Proper mulching can help you ensure the healthier growth of plants and grass on your property. Mulch provides a variety of benefits, but only when you establish a good routine for putting down fresh mulch.
Knowing when to add mulch and what type of mulch to use can help you maintain a more beautiful lawn.
Know When to Put Down Mulch in Texas
At a minimum, you should mulch your yard once per year, and the best time to do this in Central Texas is in late winter or early spring. This gives you enough time to add a protective coating over your lawn before the temperatures rise too high. The mulch will help trap moisture in the soil to ensure healthier root growth throughout the spring and summer.
A second layer of mulch should get added in the fall or early winter before the ground freezes. Failing to add this layer of mulch will leave the ground exposed to freezing temperatures. As a result, nutrients, beneficial microbes, and earthworms can freeze and die off.
You can protect this essential ecosystem by putting a layer of mulch down early in the season.
Which Type of Mulch Should You Use?
In addition to knowing when to put down mulch in Texas, you should also choose the best mulch for your property. Each type of mulch provides different benefits.
For example, granite is generally used as mulch when trapping moisture or keeping the soil cool aren’t considerations. Granite is more commonly used for its appearance and for growing succulents.
Shredded wood, such as cedar, makes a great mulch for central Texas. This is because it keeps the ground cool and absorbs moisture. As the mulch decomposes throughout the season, that retained water gets released into the soil. Additionally, the soil absorbs helpful nutrients from the wood chips as they decompose.
Mulch made from compost is another great option for property in this part of Texas. The soil absorbs nutrients from the compost, which is also an effective barrier that protects against extreme heat. Compost preserves soil moisture as well.
What Benefits Come from Applying Mulch?
There are several reasons to use mulch in your landscaping. Even if you have never used this product in the past, learning when to put down mulch in Texas can help you better protect the grass and foliage on your property.
Combat Evaporation
Especially in Texas, where the summer heat can become extreme, evaporation is a serious problem. It can drain the soil of the moisture that your grass and plants need throughout long periods without rainfall. If you apply mulch at the right times of the year, you can water your lawn and plants less frequently.
Improve Soil Quality
Plant life needs the nourishment that it gets from the soil, but over time, the soil can lose this essential nutritional value. Mulch helps replenish those nutrients, keeping your soil healthier for your lawn and other plants on your property. Look for mulch with a higher nutritional value to maximize this effect.
Reduce Weed Growth
While mulch encourages grass and plant growth, it also makes it more difficult for new weeds to sprout and grow. This is because sunlight can’t reach beyond the layer of mulch. Weeds that do grow through mulch are usually easier to pull out.
Trust Your Landscapers
If you’re new to mulching or you’re uncertain about this process, turn to your local landscaping company. They can provide this service for you and advise you on the best schedule for supplementing your mulch, along with other lawn care suggestions.
By following these tips for mulching in Central Texas, you can maintain the health and beauty of your property all year long.
Grass Works has been providing Expert Residential & Commercial Local Lawn Care Services in Central Texas: Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Avery Ranch, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Steiner Ranch & West Austin since 2007! Need help with your landscaping? Get a free estimate today!
Ferris MyCue is the founder and owner of Grass Works Lawn Care, LLC located in Leander, TX. As a former firefighter who maintained yards on his days off, he saw a need for a dependable, local maintenance company that knew the hill country climate and could deliver quality landscaping services for a reasonable price. Since 2007 he has used his leadership to grow the company into one of the top landscape maintenance companies in Austin and surrounding areas offering landscape maintenance, design, and irrigation services to both residential and commercial clients. Ferris is also a member of the Seasonal Employment Alliance (SEA) and an active participant in advocacy efforts to help promote cap relief.