April 14, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 27 Spring Home Improvement One of the best landscaping tips is to use mulch around plants, trees, and shrubs. Both aesthetically appealing and beneficial to soil, mulch helps to reduce weeds, conserve soil moisture, and keep soil strong throughout the often trying temperatures of summer. For homeowners hoping to get the most out of their mulch this season, the following factors should be considered before beginning a mulching project. Appearance. Many homeowners want to make their lawn as aesthetically appealing as possible. A good looking lawn can increase property value and instill a sense of pride for all who live at a home. Mulch comes in a variety of appearances. Color and tidiness are two sticking points for many homeowners. Typically, no one wants the mulch to be the talk of guests and neighbors, instead the plants, trees and shrubs the mulch surrounds should garner the bulk of the attention. Dark-colored mulches tend to instill a relaxing feel to gardens, while brighter colored mulches might work better in vegetable gardens. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from the sales representatives at your local garden center as to which mulch goes best with each area. Mulch does not have to be uniform throughout the property to provide maximum Mulch protects plants, adds to curb appeal Decorating & aesthetic appeal. Benefits to the soil. Arguably the biggest advantage to using mulch is its positive impact on soil. However, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit group dedicated to working for a healthy environment, different mulches serve the soil in different ways. While all organic mulches fertilize the soil as they decay, they do so at different speeds. If improving the soil is a priority when mulching, rapidly decaying or nitrogen rich mulch is most beneficial. Rapidly decaying mulches include shredded leaves and grass clippings and are typically recommended for annuals. Slowly decaying mulches, such as bark or straw, are generally considered most beneficial to trees and shrubs. Application. For some homeowners, finding the time to get outside and lay mulch can prove very difficult. In such cases, easy application is probably paramount. At this point, it’s probably best to consult a professional as to which mulch is not only the easiest to apply, but also the easiest to maintain, as anyone who doesn’t have much time to mulch probably doesn’t have much time to maintain it either. Protection. How well mulch insulates is also an important factor to consider. For example, during the summer months mulch should work to keep heat out, while it should do the exact opposite in the winter. Once the weather has taken a turn for the warmer in the spring, consider mulching a summer garden with hay, wood shavings, or compost. These mulches will insulate the garden from summer heat. In the winter, pine needles or straw are effective at trapping heat once the ground has frozen. Other mulches, including bark and stone, are essentially the multi-taskers of mulch, working to insulate in both summer and winter. PLEASE TAKE MY HUSBAND ! Need someone to help tackle the honey-do list ? Mature local resident can work on anything from cars to faucets. No job too small. If you are looking for a responsible individual to help you around the house … ������������������������������ Boilers Repaired or Replaced in One Day • Oil Tank Abatement • Chimney Liners • Water Heaters • Sewers & Drains • Cast Iron Gas Fired Boilers ����������������������������������������� ������������������ CLEARCUT WINDOW & SIDING INC. 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