Spring in Maryland
We are SOOO ready for Spring in Maryland! Mother Nature has been playing tricks on us, after a roller coaster winter and spring! My daffodils are just blooming, hopefully, they weren’t too frost burned. However, anyone who mulched early during our surprise warm weather in February will have some extra protection on their plants during a sudden freeze and snow.
Before spreading new mulch, it’s best to remove any build-up of old mulch to prevent over-mulching, which smothers plants and prevents water from reaching roots if it mats together. While you’re at it, exercise some weeding to prevent the most stalwart weeds from taking over as soon as the weather breaks. I can often pull some of those creeping weeds out with my rake if the ground is soft enough.
Flower Beds
To help control weeds in my flower beds, I plan on sprinkling Preen over them which keeps seeds from germinating. If you have re-seeding plants such as Poppies, you’ll want to avoid those areas. The benefits of mulching are explained HERE.
If you have your mulch delivered, find an easily accessible place for the dump truck to dump where it won’t cover your grass. Click to See delivery guidelines. Many folks have it dumped on a tarp in the driveway for an easier clean-up. Westminster Lawn Landscape Supply Yards has a 3 yard minimum for delivery, and can haul up to 15 yards in our single-axle dump trucks. Our mulch calculator can help you determine how much you need.
Use a wheelbarrow to transport your fresh mulch to your beds, spreading it with gloved hands, a square shovel, or a mulch fork to a nice even layer, about 2” – 3” thick, being sure not to mound it around the base of shrubs or trees, as it smothers them. Avoid burying your new sprouts too much, and go around shallow-rooted plants such as Irises. Take care not to go over top of ground covers, like spreading Junipers.
Along the edge of my woods, I have Daylilies, Irises, and Hosta, which are deer resistant plants. I also have Asiatic Lilies, which I must protect from deer – using Liquid Fence does the trick if I am consistent with it. I use Westminster Lawn’s Double Shredded Dark Hardwood Mulch, our own blend, in this area, and it works really well. Give us a call for any advice and information about our products or to get on the delivery schedule today!
