Are you a Toronto homeowner looking to optimize your tree and soil health in a simple and natural way? Are you hoping to create a springtime routine that will encourage strong growth through the summer and give your trees top-tier defense against weather drops in the cooler months? You should consider the benefits of mulch! There are many varieties of mulch that can greatly benefit Toronto’s trees and urban landscape. This article will cover those in simple terms, providing insight on WHY mulching is beneficial and HOW to utilize different mulching techniques (DIY or with your local arborist, like Heritage Tree Care) to optimize the health of your trees and garden. First things first,
What Is Mulch?
Mulch is a protective layer of organic material spread on top of soil to improve the health of plants and soil. It is a system primarily encouraged for soil hydration, insulation, and nourishment. Your soil’s health is integral to the health of your trees and garden, adding high-impact nutrients into the fruits and vegetables you grow, encouraging strong tree growth, and supporting you to plant lush flower beds that stay well into the autumn season. And often for no cost at all! Just a little bit of planning and elbow grease are needed, so let’s get started.
Why Should I Use Mulch?
Why mulch? Well, the fast answer to that question is:
Better Weed Suppression
Mulch blocks sunlight, reducing weed growth and competition for resources.
Improved Water Retention
It minimizes water loss by keeping the soil moist and reducing evaporation.
Temperature Regulation for Toronto Seasons
In summer, mulch keeps the soil cooler. In winter, it helps insulate plant roots from extreme cold.
Erosion Prevention
By stabilizing the soil, mulch protects plants from root exposure and potential infections.
Pest Deterrence
Certain mulch types naturally discourage pests, creating a healthier growing environment.
Nutrient Enrichment
As mulch decomposes, it enriches the soil with organic matter, improving its structure and nutrient content.
Curb Appeal Enhancement
A layer of mulch adds a clean, decorative finish to gardens and landscapes.
Some examples of organic mulches include: arbor mulch (used by Heritage Tree Care), as well as leaf mulch and grass clippings, easily created and used by homeowners at no extra cost. Simply mow and leave the organic material, if not raking it to distribute evenly.
It’s optimal to apply mulch in the spring after the soil has warmed up and before weeds have emerged, but is still beneficial when applied year-round.
Understanding Mulch
Diving a little deeper, it’s important to understand that mulching primarily focuses on improving soil health, which, in turn, directly impacts tree health. For instance, water retention not only enhances soil quality but also provides drought resistance for trees. This creates a reserve that trees can rely on during Toronto’s drier summer months.
Moderated temperature fluctuations means the ground will be slower to overheat or freeze, and considering half of the tree lives underground, this helps to optimize a tree’s living space for longevity.
What about those vital nutrients I mentioned? Both arbor mulch and leaf mulch add vital nutrients back into the soil, which, in turn, nourish the tree. Specifically, carbon, phosphorus, and sugars found in leaves and dying plant material naturally return to the tree. As this decomposition occurs over the garden bed, it completes a full-circle cycle of nutrient recycling.
Mulch can also add curb appeal to your home by creating a tidier, more up-kept looking garden bed and lay out. Heritage Tree Care is careful to put down mulch in only the most neat manner.
How To Utilize Mulch At Home?
Firstly, Heritage Tree Care strongly recommends that homeowners create their own “leaf mulch” each fall. The tree provides everything you need for this process. Simply mow over the fallen leaves to break them down and spread them across the yard. You can also pile them around trees that need extra support, such as young or ailing trees.
Leaf mulch offers many of the same benefits as Arbor Mulch. It contains even more carbon and nitrogen, breaks down faster, and costs less. Additionally, it’s low-maintenance and reintroduces all the minerals and nutrients from the leaves back into the soil to nourish the tree. Leaf litter is also highly effective in building healthy soil and supporting fungal life.
Heritage Tree Care offers Arbor Mulch year-round. This mulch is made from green wood mixed with shredded foliage. It is heavier, which helps suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and store more water.
Do you feel your garden and trees could benefit from mulching? Give your local arborist a call at Heritage Tree Care. We offer mulching services year round and can make recommendations specific to your tree needs with our free quoting service. Call us today!
