Things to consider before applying mulch

SALT LAKE CITY – What are the different types of mulch products? How do you choose the right one? How much should you be applying? These are some of the most common mulch-related questions answered by KSL Greenhouse Hosts Taun Beddes and Maria Shilaos.

When you’re thinking about what kind of mulch to use, Taun says you have to consider the slope of the area. If you live on a hillside, there are going to be certain mulches that work better than others do.

For example, if you plan on covering an area to park a trailer, then gravel would be more appropriate to use than bark mulch.

What about cardboard? There’s been some controversy over whether cardboard should be used as a mulch product, so Taun did some research.

“What the findings are is that you can interfere with soil oxygen penetration and gas exchange, which won’t kill plants, but it can slow them down,” Taun said.

There are several questions to ask yourself before applying mulch. Why are you doing it in the first place? Is it just for water conservation? Are you trying to hold back weeds that are extremely hard to control?

If you’re trying to control weeds, you have to apply at least 3 to 4 inches of mulch in order for it to be really effective. Even then, field bindweed and Kentucky bluegrass can still invade the area.

The KSL Greenhouse is on every Saturday from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. You can follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and on our website.