Mulch can protect your plants during the winter, conserve water, and in some cases suppress the growth of weeds. A garden that has mulch has a finished look to it.

Is There a Difference Between Organic and Non-Organic Mulch?

Organic mulch is made from something that was alive. With time, organic mulch may break down and provide nutrients to the soil. Non-organic mulch is made from materials that were never alive. They do not break down. They do not add nutrients to the soil.

Bark, straw, chopped leaves, hay, and grass clippings are examples of organic mulch. Bark nuggets will decompose slowly, whereas compost will decompose quicker and add a lot of nutrients to the soil. Inorganic mulches include things like landscape fabric, gravel, and plastic.

Is Organic or Non-Organic Mulch Better?

The answer to that question will vary based on your needs and your budget. Organic mulch will be less expensive to purchase. However, since it will decompose, you will need to purchase it repeatedly. You can minimize this expense if you make your own compost or use shredded leaves from your trees.

Organic mulch allows for the growth of beneficial fungi and bacteria. Organic mulch attracts insects and worms, and many of these improve the strength and health of your plants. The soil organisms created by organic mulch may control plant pests and keep out unwanted bacteria.

Organic mulch is a natural insulation. It can help keep the soil slightly warmer during the winter and make it slightly cooler during the summer.

Non-organic mulch will have a higher upfront cost. With gravel, it is a one time cost. Light-colored gravel might increase the heat and dryness around your plants. This can be a pro or con, depending on what type of plants you have and what those plants need to thrive.

Landscape fabric can be expensive, and there is a proper technique to install it. However, it does a phenomenal job at blocking weeds. Some people will lay down landscape fabric and then put organic mulch, such as bark nuggets, on top of the fabric. It looks nice. However, as the bark nuggets or other organic mulch break down, it will create a layer of soil that will allow weeds to grow, annulling the effects of the fabric. If you go the non-organic route, a good combination is using landscape fabric and then putting gravel or another non-organic material on top of the fabric.

Should Plastic Be Used as Mulch?

Some people use black plastic as mulch. It is not recommended for use on permanent trees or bushes. Plastic is airtight and can inhibit water from reaching the soil.

Plastic may be a good idea if you're planting annual fruit or vegetable crops, such as tomatoes or strawberries. Remember to remove the plastic at the end of the growing season and then reapply it the next year. An irrigation system should be installed under plastic or the plants should be watered by hand to make sure that they get a sufficient amount of moisture.

Many people aspire to perfectly green, manicured grass. Luckily, you can have this ideal lawn as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Let the Lawn Dry Thoroughly

Never mow a new lawn until the soil and grass are dry. If it isn't, you run the risk of damaging the blades. It's worth reaching down and touching the ground to see if it holds moisture. If you find wetness, wait a day longer. Overly wet grass gets pulled up as you mow, which will cause bare spots and other irregularities.

With a new lawn, you don't have any of the historical mistakes to deal with as you work. Consider it like a fresh slate that allows you to do things correctly from the beginning. If you mow when dry, you'll notice benefits right away. Even after the lawn is well-established, it still makes sense to avoid cutting after rain showers.

Cut the Lawn in Stages

It's worth cutting the lawn in two stages. Setting the mower wheel adjustments at a higher level ensures that the grass gets its first trim. After that run, it's possible to move the mower lower to get a tighter shave.

The old saying is true that the more you mow, the faster the lawn will grow.

Keep on top of your new lawn, and mow up to two times a week to give your grass the best chance to thrive. It may be more effort, but the results are worthwhile. New lawns that get off to a strong start will perform better over the long haul. The only way to ensure that they hit their peak is by thorough maintenance and regular cutting.

New Lawns Need Lots of Care

New lawns are not suitable for neglect. They will need continuous care, even after their first mowing. It's essential to watch out for and to control weeds. These invasive species will end up overpowering new grass without proper attention.

When you see a beautiful lawn, realize that it exists due to someone's continuous effort. Nobody has perfect grass without putting in the time. That means weeding, cutting, and handling all of the other chores necessary. Failing to do that will cause a messy lawn to appear. That means tall, uneven grass with lots of weeds or bare spots.

The care you provide may depend on what type of seed you chose. It's worth following along with the instructions to ensure you get the most from your particular lawn.

Tending a lawn is not hard, but it is tough work. Prepare yourself for some manual labor to stay on top of it.

Lawn care only becomes a real chore when you neglect it for too long. When you do that, the work becomes more challenging. It's tougher to cut an overgrown lawn with many weeds. Starting with fresh grass means the work is not as heavy, and you will likely enjoy your time working outside. Lawn care can be advantageous, especially when things look great.