It’s the perfect time to start thinking about mulching your garden. If you’re not familiar with the term, “mulch” simply refers to a layer of material (usually organic) that’s spread over the surface of the soil. Mulch serves a variety of purposes, from preventing weeds to insulating plants against extreme temperatures. It can even help improve the nutrient content of your soil! And luckily for us, there are plenty of places to find mulch in Ann Arbor.
Why Use Mulch?
As we mentioned before, mulch has a lot of benefits for your garden. Here are just a few:
-Mulch can prevent weeds from growing. Weeds compete with your plants for water, sunlight, and nutrients, so it’s important to do everything you can to keep them at bay. A thick layer of mulch will block out the light that weeds need to grow, making it less likely that they’ll take up residence in your garden.
-Mulch can help regulate soil temperature. In the summer, a layer of mulch will insulate your plants’ roots against excessive heat, helping them to stay cool and hydrated. In the winter, mulch will protect your plants’ roots from frost damage by trapping heat in the soil.
-Mulch can improve your soil’s nutrient content. As mulch decomposes, it adds valuable nutrients—like nitrogen—to the soil, which helps promote plant growth.
–Mulch can help conserve moisture in the soil. By preventing evaporation and runoff, mulch helps keep your soil—and your plants—nice and hydrated.
–Mulch can reduce erosion. A layer of mulch will help keep topsoil in place during heavy rains or strong winds, preventing it from being washed or blown away.
Now that we’ve gone over some of the benefits of mulching, let’s talk about where you can find it in Ann Arbor.
Where to Find Mulch in Ann Arbor
Here are a few local businesses that sell mulch:
–Turner’s Garden Center & Landscaping (4431 S Wagner Rd)
–Downtown Home & Garden (210 S Ashley St)
–Lowe’s Garden Center (5900 Jackson Rd)