What
is Mulch?
Mulch is an organic matter that is placed on top of the soil to cover it.
Sylva Mulches are made from by-products of the wood industry.
What
are the benefits of Mulch?
•
Protects
the soil from wind and rain erosion.
•
Shades
the soil from being baked by the sun. Hard,
baked soil repels water and limits the movement
of oxygen in the soil which retards root
growth.
•
Retains
soil moisture.
•
Keeps
the soil temperature more constant than bare
ground or rock cover, thus protecting it
from the extreme heat or cold.
•
Provides
food and shelter to beneficial organisms
such as earthworms.
•
Breaks
down into soil-building humus and nutrients
with the help of the
soil organisms.
•
Greatly
retards weeds from growing. Weeds that do
happen to grow through the mulch are easily
pulled out.
•
Prevents
soil from splashing onto plants. Soil can
often carry spores and diseases that get
splashed onto plants.
•
Easy
to apply and maintain, unlike rock which
may become dangerous projectiles in lawn
mower blades.
Why
is Mulch used?
Applying mulch mimics the way nature takes care of plants in the wild. Mulch
protects the soil, provides food beneficial to soil organisms and adds nutrients
to the soil.
How
do I use Mulch?
To a new planting bed, a four inch layer is recommended. Top dressing each
spring with 1-2 inches will replenish the mulch bed that has decomposed.
This also refreshes the appearance and covers fallen leaves and spores that
could be released into the air.
Will
Mulch effect soil fertility?
Researchers have found that certain types of organic mulches, with the aid
of soil microbes, have a profound effect on soil fertility. They provide
overall plant health below the soil surface by fighting off disease, insects
and increasing plant growth. Mulch that is placed on the top of the soil
rarely, if ever, causes nitrogen deficiency.
Are
all colored mulches the same?
There is actually quite a bit of difference between the colored mulches being
offered in the market, the main differences being the size control of the
mulch particles and the colorant used on the mulch.
At Sylva we double process the wood fiber to ensure a consistent size, and
we also do the color enhancing in a separate process with a high quality
colorant. Some other mulch producers use lower quality colorants that lack
a binder to adhere the colorant to the wood. While these mulches may look
good initially, there is significant potential for wash off, fading problems,
and poor weatherability.
Why
so many different Mulches?
While providing all of the benefits previously described, Sylva mulches are
also aesthetically pleasing. Different types provide various lengths of longevity
as well as color. Many people are discovering and enjoying the distinct look
of using Sylva Color Enhanced Mulches. The broad line of colors enable you
to design a unique look.
How
long will Sylva Color Enhanced Mulches keep their
color?
Sylva Color Enhanced Mulches will look brilliant for usually one year. After
that, they will dull somewhat due to the UV, wind and rain. Many people top-dress
every spring to keep the bed looking like new.
Is
Sylva Color Enhanced Mulch safe?
Sylva Color Enhanced Mulches use naturally derived pigments from the earth
that are safe for people, pets and plants. Material Safety Data Sheets can
be supplied upon request from your dealer.
How
much Mulch do I need?
Calculate how many square feet of coverage you need, then use the following chart.
One
Cubic Yard
Depth
Sq.
Ft. Coverage
1"
324
2"
162
3"
108
4"
81
How
do I acquire Sylva Mulches?
If your dealer does not stock a particular Sylva Mulch that you want, your
dealer can arrange to have it directly shipped to you. Most products are
available for prompt shipment.
