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Proper Mulch Application

Proper Mulch Application for Your Garden Beds

Learn the best times and methods for applying mulch to your garden beds. Discover how to prepare your beds, choose the right mulch, and apply it correctly to enhance soil health and suppress weeds.

When to Apply Mulch

Proper mulch application is essential for maintaining healthy garden beds. Fall and spring are the best times to re-dress your beds with fresh mulch. Over the course of the season, the mulch will decompose due to water (rainfall or sprinklers) and heat (summer months). This is normal and desirable because the wood in the mulch breaks down, adding organic matter to the soil to feed the microbes.

Preparing Your Beds for Mulch Application

First, prepare your beds by removing the weeds that have sprouted. Use a string trimmer to cut the weeds down as much as possible. To prevent strong weed pressure, cover the area with a layer of cardboard (make sure to remove any tape or labels). This will act as a barrier, suppressing weed growth and allowing the mulch to work more effectively. Rough up any compacted mulch to allow the existing and new mulch to work together. Proper mulch application starts with well-prepared beds. For a step-by-step guide on this method, visit our friends at Healthy Soil Organics.

Choosing the Right Mulch

Once the beds are clean and prepped, it is time to bring in the mulch. All mulches regulate soil temperature, retain moisture in the soil, and help suppress weed growth. However, it boils down to what you want to see in your beds over the next six months. Some companies offer a “living mulch,” which is a blend of compost and mulch that enriches the soil over time.

For the best results, we recommend using Casco Organics Native Mulch. Native Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and add organic matter to the soil as it decomposes. This is a key aspect of proper mulch application.

Steps for Proper Mulch Application

When applying the mulch to your beds, add a 2 to 4-inch layer. Additionally, be sure not to put the mulch directly up against any tree trunks. Instead, keep the mulch 3 inches away from the trunk and mulch no more than 4 inches thick around the drip line for newly planted trees. Following these steps ensures proper mulch application and protects your plants.

By following these steps, you can ensure you will maintain healthy, attractive garden beds throughout the year.

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Michael Conner

Michael Conner is the Operations Manager. Having spent the last 20 years in the landscaping materials industry, including composting, mulch, soil blends, and others, Mr. Conner has amassed an extensive knowledge base for these products and their production. He learned the base of his composting knowledge from the pioneer and industry leader of the composting and landscape materials businesses in the San Antonio area. Mr. Conner worked for the pioneering landscape materials manufacturer for 12 years, having various roles from equipment operator to outside sales, ending his stay there as the site manager. After taking an opportunity in the lumber industry as a lumber warehouse manager, Mr. Conner returned to the composting and landscape materials business. He was awarded the role of quality control manager for the largest composter and landscape materials supplier in the San Antonio area. In this role, Mr. Conner, expanded his knowledge of manufacturing processes, earning a promotion to production manager. In 2019, Mr. Conner was offered a facility manager position at the company’s Katy, Texas location. In 2022, Mr. Conner was able to utilize the deep knowledge gained during his career and joined Casco Organics as operations manager to oversee and produce high-quality landscaping products.

Stephen Flowers

Stephen Flowers is the Vice President of Operations and Development. Mr. Flowers began his career in the construction industry as an assistant project manager with the in-house construction management team for all county-funded buildings in Harris County. He then decided to follow his passion for all things automotive, spending time in the automotive industry in both service and sales before transitioning into the oil and gas industry. Mr. Flowers joined a major global pipe and tubular running services company and performed corporate sales and business development, further establishing company’s presence in the Denver/Rocky Mountain market. After a year at the Houston headquarters, Mr. Flowers was moved to Denver to open an office for the company and continue to grow the business and corporate presence. While still in Denver, and after leaving his previous company, Mr. Flowers joined a California-based, upstream engineering and consulting firm to open their Denver office. His role was to establish the company in Denver, build a team of consultants, and gain and grow business outside of their home market of California. After facing a fork in the road to stay in oil and gas or switch industries, Mr. Flowers made the decision to move himself and his family back to Houston and join the Martini family of companies: Casco, Action Trucking, and Bee Sand. Mr. Flowers’ role has been multi-faceted, including company operations management, restructuring, staff re-organization, overhauling various corporate functions, new product lines and ventures, and many other functions and tasks. Mr. Flowers holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with a double major in Psychology and Communications from the University of St. Thomas.