Mulching Tips, Dos, and Don’ts
By Kyle Thurman, Environmental Enhancements, Inc.

Pruning, edging, planting, weeding, and mulching are all essential for the health and beauty of you garden and lawn, but done incorrectly, can damage them. In particular, over mulching is dangerous to the health of your trees.

Too much mulch, laid down too thickly will invite insects, disease, fungi, and even small rodents. Too much mulch over too long a period of time can kill the tree. Roots need oxygen. Over mulching can trap too much moisture causing cankers, splits, invite disease and pests, and cause root rot. On the flip, hard clumped mulch can actually prevent air and water from getting through, which proper use of mulch should allow.

MULCHING DOs

• Initial mulching should be 3 – 4” deep for shrubs and trees; 1 – 2” for perennials.
• The depth of organic mulch should not exceed three inches after settling
• Keep mulch at least 6" from the base of a trunk
• Apply herbicide or weed control to area before mulching over them.
• Subsequent mulching should be done only an inch or two at a time.
• Before mulching a second time rake the existing mulch to break it up so water will penetrate.
• DO NOT mulch up against tree trunks. Photo courtesy of

MULCHING DONTs

• Do not create a mulch ‘volcano’
• Too much mulch traps moisture causing cankers, splits, disease, pests, and root rot
• Clumped mulch prevents air and water penetration
• More than 4 inches is too much

Previous Blog Posts:

• Curing the Winter Garden Blues
• Snow & Ice Care of Masonry
• Bluestone Patio Replaces Outdated Deck

« In The News

Environmental Enhancements earns Rustfield HOA Award

The community of Rustfield in the City of Fairfax, was recently awarded the 2009 Community Appearance Award. Environmental Enhancements has been its maintenance provider for several years and it proud to be acknowledged by Rustfield as the primary contributor to Rustfield earning this prestigious Fairfax City award. Below is a letter of appreciation from the Rustifield Landscape Committee Chair to the City of Fairfax.

Environmental Enhancements, Inc. – National Safety Award Recipient

Planet recognizes Green Industry companies for their safety efforts

HERNDON, Va., October 1, 2009 — The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and program sponsor CNA are proud to announce the award recipients of the 2008 Safety Recognition Awards program for January 1 to December 31, 2008. Entries were submitted by 206 companies, and 425 awards were earned.

Award categories include “No Vehicle Accidents,” “No Injuries or Illnesses,” and “No Days Away From Work.” Contestants who participated in previous programs are also eligible for the “Most Improved” category. The “Overall Safety Achievement Award” honors those companies with thorough, high-performing safety programs that create and maintain safe work environments in the green industry. Companies are eligible for this award if they demonstrate outstanding safety performance in the workplace based on their combined fleet and employee incident rates. A checklist is also used to rate the company’s complete safety program.

Congratulations to these 2008 Safety Recognition Awards Program recipients:

Environmental Enhancements, Inc.
No Vehicle Accidents
No Injuries or Illnesses
No Days Away From Work