7 Great Ideas for Creating a Beautiful Outdoor Living Area
August 14, 2019Want to enjoy the outdoors anytime of the year by creating a beautiful outdoor living area?
Then consider adding a fireplace or fire pit to your outdoor living space. Don’t forget to get the kids involve by letting them cook their own food. There are plenty of campfire recipes to try. Of course there has to be s’mores!
Do you have pizza lovers? Consider adding a wood fired brick oven to make authentic pizza for a hungry crowd. Did you know brick ovens cook quickly and efficiently? Better yet, they are a great way to cook desserts, meats, veggies and more!
How about a full outdoor kitchen? An outdoor kitchen allows you enjoy an outdoor party while you cook! In addition, it makes you more efficient and lessens the need to run back and forth to the house. That is why we encourage clients to consider some sort of cooking options for their outdoor living area.
Check out some of our luxurious outdoor kitchens that will make your home the preferred party location. Likewise, be sure to create comfortable seating areas that will have you looking for every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Outdoor Kitchen by DiSabatino Landscaping & Esposito Masonry
Outdoor Kitchen by DiSabatino Landscaping & Esposito Masonry
Outdoor Kitchen by DiSabatino Landscaping & Esposito Masonry
Outdoor Kitchen by DiSabatino Landscaping & Esposito Masonry
Add one of these below unique features for creating an even better outdoor living space that will extend the usable square footage of your home. Not only will it increase your home’s value, it will give REAL value to your home life. Also consider the savings from staycations, a great way to bond with family without spending tons of cash!
7 Great Ideas for Creating a Beautiful Outdoor Living Area:
- A pavilion to keep your seating area comfortable and dry
- A pergola is a great way to add shade, privacy and ambience
- Custom in ground pools and hot tubs are refreshing touches. Add special features such as waterfalls and ambient lighting
- Ponds and other water features, such as a fountain is great way to add character to your landscaping
- Create peaceful locations to relax and meditate
- A deck off the master bedroom – connect with nature any time of day.
- Utilize the front, side and back of house to add a custom made deck with gazebo, gorgeous pergola, pavilion or sun room
The possibilities are endless!
If you want a beautiful custom made outdoor living area created just for you, get in touch with DiSabatino Landscaping and Esposito Masonry. We create unique outdoor rooms and patios!
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
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DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to create your outdoor living space Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Water Can Be Bad: How to Properly Water Your Garden This Summer
July 23, 2019A Summer Watering Guide for Your Garden
Summer is here and that means it’s time to start thinking about watering your lawn and garden. Some areas are typically dryer than others, but how do you know if your lawn or garden needs attention before it goes brown?
Do you know the right time of day to water so you don’t ruin your plants? Maybe you didn’t even know you could ruin them by watering at the wrong time.
Watering Myths
There are many myths surrounding when and how to water your plants. It’s important to understand what is true and what is not so you don’t kill your plants with too much, or lack of, water.
One myth is that plants require an inch of water per week in order to survive. While plants do require water, not all plants can go by this idea. A great way to avoid following this myth is to watch the soil. Water the plant to provide enough water to its entire root system and then wait until the soil seems to be drying out before watering again. This keeps the plant healthy and doesn’t cause any issues from overwatering.
Another myth focuses on wilting. Many say if a plant is wilting it requires water. This is only partially true. While wilting is certainly a sign of a plant’s roots drying out, it could also be caused from other factors besides water. The most important thing to do is check the soil. If the soil still has moisture, then the plant could be wilting from root disease, physical damage, or even insects in the soil. It’s important to know what to look for before assuming your plant needs to be watered.
Other myths revolve around types of watering. Some say that overhead watering on a sunny day can scorch the leaves and overhead watering with a sprinkler is bad for plants. The main, and only, reason to be cautious of watering on a sunny day is due to evaporation of the water in the heat. Because of the evaporation, plants receive less of the water you’re trying to provide. As for overhead watering with a sprinkler, it’s true that this isn’t the most efficient form of watering. It’s important to note that watering from an overhead sprinkler can be useful on dry, windy days when the dust might collect on the leaves.
Dos and Don’ts
There are several ways you can ensure the safety of your plants this summer. Some are listed above in correction to the myths. Others are fairly simple: watch your plants for “indicators” and avoid getting the leaves wet if you can.
What does all this mean? It’s very simple. An indicator plant is the first plant that will wilt or otherwise show signs of distress in the garden. Once you’ve located this plant, find the cause of its distress, whether it needs watering or some other attention, and ensure the other plants are safe from the cause. If it needs to be watered, chances are the other plants do as well. If the indicator plant is affected by a bug or root disease, chances are the other plants are fine and perhaps this plant should be removed. Know the differences in what and how these factors affect plants before assuming the plant needs watering.
Why is it important to avoid wetting the leaves of the plants? Wet leaves can breed diseases and can provide less water to the roots. By keeping the leaves wet, water is unable to get to the root of the plant and spread throughout the entire plant to keep it alive. It is also a factor that any plant-related diseases are prone to attaching to the leaves of the plant and thrive in water.
Conclusion
It’s important to ensure your plants are well taken care of. Avoid any of the myths above and always do your research. If you have a new plant or are unsure if something is a myth, look it up and research proper information before caring for your plants incorrectly.
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DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to maintain your landscaping! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
The Best Summer Blooming Shrubs
July 9, 2019Blooming Shrubs This Summer
Looking for the best shrubs for your garden this summer? Check out these great summer shrubs to add some life to your garden!
Low Maintenance
There are many types of shrubs out there that produce flowers or attract birds and butterflies to your yard, but some of them are so high maintenance that many people tend to avoid them. Shrubs are the least of most summer concerns because it’s one more thing to look after and remember to take care of.
These shrubs are low maintenance and still attractive to the eye and birds and butterflies:
- Bluebeard Shrub
- Butterfly Bush
- Carolina Allspice
- Hydrangeas
- Oleander
- Potentilla
- Rock Rose
- Rose of Sharon
- Shrub Rose
- Smoke Bush
- Spirea
- Summersweet
These shrubs all have a low-maintenance care regimen for their summer blooming, creating an easy, yet beautiful, addition to your landscaping for the summer months. Visitors and passersby can enjoy the beautiful colors of these amazing shrubs and you can be happy with the lack of effort it takes to have them.
Size
Some shrubs are larger than others and can take more room from your yard. While they are beautiful, they can take away from other plants and flowers you may want to keep. It’s important to know what size a plant or shrub will be before you decide to add it to your garden.
These plants will grow to be no more than 3 feet max and will still look amazing in your garden:
- “Becky” Shasta Daisy
- Black-eyed Susan
- Blue Mist Shrubs
- Coreopsis
- Daylilies
- Late-blooming Astilbes
- “May Night” Garden Sage
- Pinks
- Sedums
- St. John’s Wart
- Yarrows
With no more than 3 feet of growth, these plants and shrubs could be your choice. Or perhaps you’d like something slightly larger, but nothing to take over your garden. Try these, as they grow no more than 6 feet:
- Bee Balms
- “Bonica” Rose
- Foxgloves
- “Knockout” Rose
- “Martha’s Vineyard” Rose
- Michaelmas Daisies
- Oriental Lilies
- Purple Coneflower
- Russian Sage
- Summer Phloxes
If you are still seeking to go larger, these plants and shrubs can get up to a maximum of 10 feet:
- Butterfly Bushes
- Hollyhocks
- Hydrangeas
- Rose of Sharons
There are so many others out there that could provide the color and style your garden seeks. Be sure you know what you want before you purchase.
Conclusion
If you don’t know what will fit your garden best, do some research. Find plants and shrubs that grow to just the right size and have just the right colors. Most places for research will even tell you if, and what kind of, birds or butterflies are attracted to each plant. This could provide some extra color and fun to your garden.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to maintain your landscaping! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Seasonal Accent Planting Ideas We Love
June 25, 2019Accentuate Your Landscaping With These Standout Plantings
The first steps in any landscape design involve establishing foundation plantings to allow your home to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Then come the transitional plantings to bring your landscaping forward and provide a welcoming facade. If your landscaping is well-established, you may be wondering what comes next.
In most cases, the answer is accent plantings. Once you have a lush and beautiful foundation, use accent plants to create a focal point in your landscaping. There are many reasons you may want to create a focal point, and just as many strategies for using accent plants to achieve it.
We like these accent planting ideas for landscapes at any level of maturity:
- Accent with color. Accent plants should contrast with surrounding plants to draw attention. Consider planting small bursts of color along a border, or in clusters within a larger area of greenery to provide interest.
- Accent with shape or texture. Another form of contrast is the shape of your plantings, or their texture; you can add contrast by planting naturally interesting shapes or pruning foliage into shapes designed to draw attention. Planting a more prominent cluster of bushes among lower-lying foliage can provide a focal point for a larger expanse of garden area. Or, use taller accents to draw the eye through the landscaped area.
- Accent seasonally. Choose accent plants that will bloom at a different time of year than your background plants to provide interest against the background foliage. Or, choose plants that leaf early in the year or retain foliage later in the year to continue to provide interest after other plants have receded.
- Use accent plants to focus on architectural features. You can use color, height, interesting textures, or some combination of the three to draw focus to an entryway, stairway, or water feature. Accent plants used for architectural features should contrast with surrounding plants as well as the color and texture of the feature itself.
- Use potted accent plants. A great way to accentuate areas not normally conducive to plant growth, such as a set of stone steps or a home entrance on a patio or deck, is to place potted accent plantings on either side. You can also place potted plants with seasonal blooms along walkways, clustered near benches or water features, or to provide height to a dramatic front entrance.
No matter which features you wish to draw attention to, choose accent plants that provide visual interest by contrasting with your existing landscaping. Staggering clusters of seasonally appropriate plantings can continue to accentuate your landscaping year-round.
Questions regarding varieties that contrast best with your existing landscape? Contact us today.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to maintain your landscaping! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
How DiSabatino Landscaping and Esposito Masonry Merged Their Skills to Create Beautiful Outdoor Spaces
June 11, 2019It’s June. The sun is shining, the grass is growing and the flowers are blooming. You’re now beginning to realize that your landscaping could really use some help. Maybe you’ve noticing that your patio or deck isn’t what it used to be and it’s finally time to install the new outdoor living space you’ve been dreaming about.
This month we decided to catch up with DiSabatino Landscaping, a local business with the skills and expertise to help you with all of this and more. DiSabatino has been creating superior landscaping and outdoor living spaces for more than 25 years. Their team of highly trained professionals is skilled in all areas of landscaping, hardscaping, construction, masonry and tree care.
The company as it is known today came about when Chris DiSabatino, founder and owner of DiSabatino Landscaping, joined forces with Vincent Esposito, founder of Esposito Masonry. Through their collaboration and efforts, they were able to grow their company into a crew of more than 60 designers, horticulturists, craftsmen, artisan masonry and landscape professionals.
What’s the philosophy behind your business?
“DiSabatino Landscaping was built on the same core values we hold true today: Integrity, trust and a true passion for exceeding our clients’ expectations. Our team members take pride in our reputation and legacy as an award-winning company with an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. From your initial phone call to the final walkthrough, you will know you’re working with a professional, people-oriented company by the character of every DiSabatino team member you speak to.”
Hardscaping Portfolio
What do you enjoy most about your work?
“We are continually inspired by our clients, who bring us into their homes to improve their quality of life. Our family name is our company. Every team member you see representing us in uniform, job signs proudly posted on our clients’ properties and vehicles driving around the Brandywine Valley come back to our reputation and legacy. ”
Do you have a special message to share with the neighborhood or community?
“We put our name on our company to represent the old-world values and tradition of doing the right thing for our clients. That’s what builds trust and creates lasting relationships.
We also believe in giving back. DiSabatino recently donated a memorial to Salesianum School that recognizes first responders, veterans and those who lost their lives in the line of duty. We also donate and serve the area in which we live by giving our time, talent and treasure back to the community that takes care of our team. ”
Artisan Masonry
How do you make your workday fun?
“We take care of everyone. We’ve built a community room where members of our team can hang out, relax, grab a coffee and prepare for their day. There is also a well-stocked machine with safety gear and tools.
We like to promote contests for our team. There’s a “safety bingo pool” for the longest stretch of accident and injury-free days. Team members are rewarded based on a pool that increases daily. We also give our crew Wawa gift cards and they get to take basketball, hockey and soccer shots based on great performance and client testimonials.”
Outdoor Living
Family is obviously an integral part of your company. Can you tell us more about yourselves and your family?
“We are a family business and believe that family is a key component. Both Chris and Vinny learned the trade from their grandfathers. Chris and Vinny’s wives, Jackie and Mollie, have worked at the company and they’re both also the parents of sets of twins, as well as more children. We take pride in our family legacy and reputation of creating lasting relationships with our clients and the local community.”
The DiSabatino team’s philosophy of hard work and commitment to customer satisfaction is one of the many reasons DiSabatino Landscaping and Esposito Masonry have been successful for more than 25 years. And it’s a tradition Chris and Vinny hope to pass along to the next generation as well.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to maintain your landscaping! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Three Ways to Transform Your Yard Into an Outdoor Room
May 28, 2019Outdoor Living Room Tips You’ll Want to See This Spring
A typical backyard space can provide the kids a place to play, adults with a space to kick back in a lawn chair, and pets a place to roam away from busy streets. However, so many patio spaces are nothing more than a concrete pad, a few chairs, a grill, and perhaps a few potted plants. Why stop there?
Today’s backyards are essentially extensions of the interior, complete with comfortable furniture, outdoor kitchens, and even protection from the elements. Yet, these outdoor rooms retain the natural elements and connection with the outdoors necessary to provide an escape from the stresses of daily life. Here are three ideas to get your outdoor room started.
Three Ways to Transform Your Yard Into an Outdoor Room;
Traditional Decking
A traditional deck can be the perfect beginning to an outdoor room. It elevates any furnishings up off the ground, providing space between you and natural annoyances such as insects, mud, and weeds. Decking also provides adequate drainage so that excess moisture does not remain trapped underneath any items you may have in your outdoor space.
You can choose from a variety of woods, stains and paint colors to accentuate the exterior of your home. However, you’ll need to seal your deck against the elements, and will need to refinish the surface every two to three years. In addition, traditional decking does not have the life expectancy of other materials. Generally, you may need to replace as soon as ten to fifteen years after installation.
Celebrate Spring With An Outdoor Space to Die For!
Azek
Although natural wood decks are certainly beautiful, more and more homeowners are choosing to use capped polymer materials for their outdoor spaces. Polymers, such as Azek, typically require less maintenance than traditional wood decking and will not warp, crack or split. As a result, a surface constructed of Azek won’t require replacement or refinishing as a natural wood surface would.
You can also install Azek near pools, spas and water features. It is resistant to mold and will not absorb water and warp. The only potential drawback for some homeowners is the decreased ability to refinish with various colors and stains; however, the product itself comes in a variety of widths, finishes, and colors.
Create a Spectacular Outdoor Living Space with DiSabatino Landscaping
Timber Framing
If you’d like your outdoor living space to provide shelter from the elements and extend its use further into the fall and winter seasons, consider adding a timber-framed shelter. Gazebos, pergolas, pavilions and sunrooms all provide shade, protection from rain, and varying degrees of wind protection. In addition, your furniture, outdoor kitchen, and other design elements last longer and weather better when afforded some protection. Consider whether your home’s architectural features support an attached structure like a sunroom or awning, or whether a stand-alone structure would benefit your space.
If you’d like to discuss adding an outdoor room to your landscaping, contact us today.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help build an outdoor living area that will have you enjoying the great outdoors in style! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Spring Pruning Tips to Keep Your Landscaping Looking Fresh
May 14, 2019What You Should Know About Spring Pruning
The weather is a little warmer, the snow is likely gone for the year, and things are beginning to green up in your yard. Spring has arrived, and with it a few essential landscape maintenance tasks essential to bringing a well-maintained lawn into the warmer months. Among these spring tasks is pruning.
What plants should you be addressing? How, exactly, should you go about spring pruning? Why is spring pruning beneficial? Read on for a quick guide and the answers to these questions.
Why Is Spring Pruning Beneficial?
Proper pruning can remove dead or diseased branches, as well as shape shrubs, bushes, and trees into more aesthetically pleasing forms. Some plants flower only on new growth, so pruning these plants promotes blooming and keeps overgrowth to a minimum. Other plants simply respond better to pruning during the dormant period of early spring, allowing stored nutrients to reach the actively growing parts of the plant.
What is Rejuvenative Pruning?
Spring pruning is advantageous in that it allows you to properly assess a plant’s shape without blooms and new growth so there are fewer obstructions to determining the plant’s final shape. Pruning in early spring also allows the wounds created by the cuts you’ve made to seal properly before the rapid growth to come with warmer days.
Trees
With many trees, such as birches, maples, oaks, elms and crab apples, you should only prune during the winter months, to prevent pests and diseases from accessing fresh cuts, or to prevent excess sap from bleeding out. Prune spring flowering trees, such as dogwoods, only after flowering. You can prune dogwoods down to only a few branches each year.
Evergreens
Both needled and broadleaf evergreens can benefit from spring pruning. Focus on the desired shape of the shrub and trim to fit. Remove overgrown new growth, dead, and unwanted branches, but avoid cutting into old wood since it may not sprout again.
Summer Flowering Plants
Spring is an ideal time to prune shrubs and vines that do not flower in spring, such as crepe myrtle, butterfly bush, and Pee Gee hydrangea, but you must prune before the plant pushes out new growth. Trim to the desired shape and remove excess growth and thickness.
Spring Flowering Plants
Do not prune plants that flower in spring, such as lilacs, most roses, forsythia, most hydrangeas, and rhododendrons, until after they’ve flowered in late spring. Since they bear blooms on wood formed the previous year, prune right after blooming to prevent removing the new growth that will produce blooms next year.
Questions about pruning? Contact us for a consultation at your earliest convenience.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to maintain your landscaping! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Stone Patio Maintenance Tips You Need to Read Before Summer
April 16, 2019How to Clean and Seal Your Stone Patio
Installing a stone patio can add value to your home as well as beauty to your outdoor landscaping. Stone is much lower maintenance than wooden decking and can add more visual interest than concrete, all while providing you a place to barbecue or simply relax away from the heat of the day. While low maintenance, there is some work to do to ensure your patio stays beautiful and functional for years to come.
Cleaning Your Stone Patio
Because your stone patio is susceptible to everyday dirt and natural grime, it is important to clean it periodically.
- Keeping your patio free of loose dirt and plant debris can help prevent scuffing and buildup. Remove all patio furniture and potted plants before sweeping the entire patio in one direction, then the opposite. This method ensures you remove any material trapped between the stones.
- Use clean water from a hose to spray surface dirt and dried-on debris from your patio. If necessary, use a stiff brush to loosen any resistant patches, and repeat spraying to wash away residue.
- Greasy stains near patio tables, grills, and barbecue areas can be treated with a solution of dish soap and water. Use a stiff brush to work the solution into the stain and rinse away with a hose. If there is remaining residue, clear the area of the soap solution and treat with an ammonia solution – ½ cup to one gallon of warm water. Ensure to rinse all the ammonia solution away before proceeding.
- Treat any biological stains, such as mold and mildew, with a solution of ½ cup of bleach to one gallon of warm water. Scrub the affected areas with a stiff brush and remove any excess solution with rags or towels before rinsing with a hose. Allow stone to dry adequately before replacing furniture and plants.
Which Material is Best for Your Perfect Patio?
Sealing Your Stone Patio
Most stone patios should be sealed to prevent water stains and excess absorption of grease or biological stains. After you’ve thoroughly cleaned your patio, wait at least one day to allow your stone to fully dry before proceeding to seal.
- Use an acrylic, water-based matte sealer designed for porous outdoor stone.
- Choose a hot, dry day to ensure rapid drying of your stone.
- Ensure your area is free of loose dirt, clean, and dry by following the steps outlined above.
- Using a clean paint roller, roll the sealant on in large, generous strokes. Roll over each stone only once to avoid streaking.
- Allow the sealer to dry for one hour – it should be dry to the touch before reapplying.
- Repeat with another coat.
- Allow the sealer to dry for 48 hours before walking on the surface or replacing patio furniture.
3 Ways to Prepare Your Patio for Spring
For more information regarding care and maintenance of your stone patio, contact DiSabatino Landscaping today.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help build an outdoor living area that will have you enjoying the great outdoors in style! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Five Tips To Help Your Garden Grow!
April 3, 2019Many clients consider spring fertilization with a ‘more is better’ mentality. However, the best way to apply spring fertilizer needs to be thought out properly to ensure a great and healthy landscape all season long. Make sure you follow these gardening guidelines for a healthy landscape this season!
1) Early Spring Fertilizer Application:
Always make sure you are fertilizing your garden after we are free and clear of freezing temperatures. It is recommended to start thinking about fertilizer applications in mid/late April to avoid possible freezing temperatures on new growth.
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2) Take Application Instructions Seriously
Here the ‘more is better’ mentality can do more harm than good. It is always advised to follow the instructions on your garden fertilizers very carefully. If you apply too little you can receive poor results and waste your investment in the fertilizer application. Conversely if you apply too much you run the risk of burning the fine root hairs on the ends of the root ball and can cause serious damage to the plant. Please always follow the instructions on the label; or give DiSabatino Landscaping a call so we may tailor fit a proper treatment plan for your home.
3) Consider a Five-Step Fertilizer Treatment Plan
We here at DiSabatino recommend the following treatment/fertilizer plan to ensure the best overall health of your home’s landscape.
Early Spring – Deep Root fertilizers to get the nutrients directly to the root ball.
Late Spring – Time release formula to get your landscape through the summer months.
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Early Summer – Plant inspection is KEY. Check your plants for insects, fungus, or damaged limbs at this time so they can be treated accordingly.
Mid/Late Summer – One final application of the time release formula and one additional insect or disease inspection.
Winterization – Treat ALL evergreens with an anti-desiccant and give all ornamental trees and shrubs; under 15’; approx. 10 gallons of water to reduce the risk of high water loss during harsh winters.
4) DO NOT Fertilize if the Plant is Thirsty!
It is very important to make sure the soil moist prior to any fertilization. Similar to over fertilizing; if the soil is very dry the root hairs on the main root ball are very weak and will burn when fertilizer is applied when the soil and root ball are dry. If the soil is too hard to get a small shovel into it easily please do quick thorough drench of the plants you intend to fertilize then come back the following day to apply the fertilizer.
5) Beware Combination Weed and Fertilizer Treatments
We here at DiSabatino Landscaping highly recommended AGAINST fertilizing with any combination treatments that contain both a fertilizer and a weed preventative. These combo products are very expensive and cause more harm than help in your landscape.
If you wish to combat the weeds while ensuring your gardens growth; always use products that are specifically attuned to your particular needs. A time release formula like Preen or Barricade is great to combat weeds during the growing season and can be applied easily. Whereas Miracle Grow or Shultz’s; landscape specific; fertilizers should only be used to enhance your landscape plantings.
For information about garden maintenance and fertilization services, contact DiSabatino Landscaping today.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help build an outdoor living area that will have you enjoying the great outdoors in style! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Three Ways Over-Mulching Can Harm Your Trees
March 26, 2019Are You Over-Mulching? It May Be Harming Your Trees
Chances are, you’ve heard about the benefits of mulching around your trees. Mulching properly can suppress weed growth, help the underlying soil retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and add nutrient value over time. However, improper application or too much mulch can be detrimental to your trees.
Look at your mulch for these classic signs of too much mulch:
1 ) Get Out the Tape Measure – Is Your Mulch Over Four Inches Deep?
Mulch should be no more than two to four inches deep throughout. Finely shredded mulch should be less than two inches deep. Ideally, moisture should soak through the mulch, and the soil beneath should stay sufficiently moist. If the layer of mulch is too thick, it can block essential moisture from reaching the roots of your tree.
The same goes for air. If your mulch layer is too thick over the root ball, air will not be able to reach the roots of the tree. If the problem continues, roots may grow up through the mulch in search of air and moisture. This condition, known as stem girdling, can be deadly for vulnerable trees.
5 Steps to Prepare Your Landscape for Spring
2) Are You Practicing Volcano Mulching?
Mulch should not touch the trunk or root flare of the tree. Piling mulch against the tree in a cone shape can hold moisture against the root flare and trunk bark, causing bark death, root girdling and more. Piles of mulch can also house pathogens, insects and rodents, which can damage your tree in their own ways.
Instead, start 12 to 18 inches from the tree. Start with about 4 inches of mulch, then work your way to a 2-inch layer as you move inward. Do not cover the base of the tree with the mulch.
3) Are You Using the Same Type of Mulch, in Large Amounts?
Using the same type of mulch season after season, especially while mixing that mulch into the soil, can cause pH imbalances and nutrient deficiencies in the soil. For example, pine bark mulch is acidic and can change the pH balance of the soil if used repeatedly.
3 Ways to Prepare Your Patio for Spring
Mulch should provide benefits for your tree, but over mulching can cause more problems than you may think. Consult with a DiSabatino arborist to determine the types of mulch that are best for your trees, as well as any recommendations for your area. If done properly, much can be a great addition to the aesthetics and the health of your landscaping.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help build an outdoor living area that will have you enjoying the great outdoors in style! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408