Jennifer Pelham
Extension Office

Fall is a great time of year to renovate and clean up the landscape.

The summer heat and storms have been harsh on our landscapes and with cooler temperatures just around the corner, it makes it a great time of year to be working in the yard. In the next four weeks, I will select different topics that you can use to help get your landscape in shape for the upcoming season. This week we will discuss mulch.

Mulch is any material that is applied to the soil surface. It can be an organic material, such as wood chips, leaves and pine needles, or an inorganic material, such as woven ground cloth or rock.  Not only does mulch add to the beauty of the landscape by giving it a uniform color and texture, it also provides benefits to the soil and to the plants it surrounds.

Mulch helps to prevent water evaporation from the soil, suppresses weeds from growing, and keeps a more uniform soil temperature.  It works like an insulator, keeping soils cool during the hot summer months and warm during cold weather. Organic mulches can also improve the soil structure. As the organic material decays, it becomes topsoil and adds nutrients for the landscape plants.

Organic mulches are readily available during the fall months. Most of the yard waste collected at this time, including leaves, grass clippings and pine needles, can be recycled as on-site mulch. This is a very efficient use of yard waste.  It retains the nutrients in the landscape and saves money from purchasing manufactured organic mulches. Organic mulches can be used in combination with each other or alone.

Various types of bark and wood chips are the most popular choice of organic mulch in home landscapes. These mulches provide a nice color to the landscape and are usually long-lasting. They are also readily available in bulk from the local home-improvement store or garden centers.  Cypress, pine, eucalyptus, and melaleuca are common mulches that are used. Research at the University of Florida shows that melaleuca is the least desired mulch by termites, which makes it a very popular choice by many to use around the home.  

Gravel, pebbles, crushed stone and rubber mulches are inorganic mulches that are permanent and not recommended for use in the landscape.  Because they are inorganic they will never decompose in the landscape and will become mixed in with the soil.  Caution also must be used with these mulches when it comes to lawn maintenance. If they fall into the lawn, they could be easily taken up by a lawn mower and become projectiles. They may also cause the landscape to become too hot during the summer months, damaging the plants they surround.

Woven ground cloth is another inorganic mulch option. This is a fabric material that has been treated so it does not decompose. It is very effective in controlling the majority of weeds but does not prevent moisture loss or affect soil temperatures. The downside is that landscape debris and soil will eventually settle on top of the fabric and weeds will eventually grow above the cloth.

Mulch should be applied to the entire plant bed, keeping 1 to 2 inches from the base of plants. If using wood or bark mulches that contain fine particles, mulch 2 to 3 inches deep (after settling). Too much mulch could suffocate plants and hinder water from entering the soil. Not enough mulch will hinder the benefits mulch provides. Pine needles and other coarse-textured mulches, such as large pine bark pieces, that provide good air movement through them can be maintained at 4 inches deep.  Leaves and grass clippings should never be more than 2 inches deep.

Whichever mulch you decide to use, it will provide protection to the soil and plants. It will also add to the beauty of your landscape. For more information on mulches, or any other plant-related information contact the UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension Service. Master Gardeners are available to take your calls Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 321-697-3000.  You may also email Jennifer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Your question may appear in this column, so make it a good one! Next week I will discuss fall plants to add to your landscape during your landscape renovation.  

Jennifer Pelham is a horticulture agent with the University of Florida/IFAS Osceola County Extension Office.