Fresh mulch contributes to healthy, well-kept landscape beds! However, it breaks down over time, so it will need to be replaced from time to time. In Iowa, you should replenish the mulch in your landscape beds annually so that it continues to enhance the beauty of your beds and the health of your plants. Replenishing it in the spring is most common when plants are blooming and you're refreshing your landscape beds, but a fall replenishment is also ideal to better prepare them for the winter. Make sure not to add too much or too little, however! For maximum effectiveness, mulch should be around 2-3 inches thick. An annual mulch replenishment will keep your landscape beds robust and looking great every year!


Why should you replenish the mulch in your landscape beds once a year?

Over time, mulch will break down and will need to be replenished. It's important to remember to replenish your mulch once a year to ensure it continues to provide your landscape beds with all the many benefits it has to offer. Mulch not only adds to the attractiveness of your landscape beds, but aids in moisture retention, soil erosion control, temperature regulation, and weed suppression! As mulch decomposes throughout the year, it even releases nutrients into your soil! As it breaks down though, it won't be as effective at providing all those wonderful benefits. Replenishing your mulch annually will allow your landscape beds to reap all the benefits of mulch each and every year.


What time of the year should you replenish mulch?

A landscape bed in Waukee, IA, with fresh mulch surrounding a tree.

Spring is the most common time to replenish mulch in landscape beds, but you can also replenish it in the fall. Spring is more popular because it's the time of the year when plants are beginning to grow and bloom. It's also right before weed seeds start to germinate, so you want to have a fresh layer of mulch to benefit the plants and suppress those pesky weeds. You can incorporate it into your spring cleanup as you bring your landscape back to life after the winter season has ended.

A fall replenishment is also beneficial because it can better prepare your landscape beds for the cold winter months ahead by creating an insulating barrier that helps protect the roots of your plants from drastic temperature changes. You can also choose to incorporate mulch replenishment as part of your fall cleanup.


Make sure your mulch layer is about 2-3 inches thick for maximum effectiveness.

If you want to ensure your mulch is providing its intended benefits, you'll need to make sure it's installed at the appropriate thickness. Mulch should be installed between 2-3 inches thick. If your mulch layer is too thick, it could suffocate your plants and block them from receiving the nutrients, water, and sunlight that they need to thrive. On the other hand, if there's not enough mulch, it won't be able to provide your landscape beds with its many benefits.

When mulch is installed at the correct thickness, it will be able to provide all of its intended benefits!


Contact us today to sign up for our mulch installation service.

At Brilliant Borders Landscaping, we're happy to help maintain your landscape beds' health and beauty with our mulch installation service. We will replenish your mulch on a yearly basis to ensure your landscape beds reap all of the benefits that it provides. This service is offered independently, or it can added to a spring or fall yard cleanup. We offer this service to commercial and residential properties in Waukee, IA, and other surrounding areas, such as West Des Moines, Urbandale, and Grimes. Contact us today at (515) 664-6205 to sign up!