Family Mulch Time…and some mulching tips

Byljanning@dukemanorfarm.com
I wish I had self mulching landscape. I really do. You know, the kind that will freshin up the pine bark nuggets once or twice a year depending on the need and control the weeds in the beds and around the trees. That would really be amazing. Even more amazing then control of the tv one day a year to catch up on those mindless shows that I record ( and never watch)  with my feet propped up and an adult beverage in hand.
As evidence of this picture, I need a lot of mulch. Because of the cost and the labor involved, this is a once a year event. Anything more would kill my back and my wallet. Long ago and before kids when my husband and I had nothing better to do, we use to have loose mulch delivered  in a big ole semi tractor trailer and then move it around with the tractor.
Now we go the route of convenience and order bags in bulk for easy distribution. The cost is a bit more, but the time it takes to move it around is worth it. Especially now, since I have people….on vehicles…moving it for me.

The process for mulch distribution is rather simple.
 
They all line up…and fuss about who’s going to be the line leader. This is the longest part of the process.
 
 
Once they figure that out, dad loads them up with one bag of mulch. 
They then drive to the designated area that mom has predetermined in order of need.
 
 
They dumb it off the back of their  ‘mulch carrier’ with the goal of getting as close to the target as they can. so not to create more work for mom and dad. 
 
And then head back to mulch central for another load.  They repeat this process until they figure out that this is no longer a fun activity, and actual work they are doing or they run out of gas…which ever comes first.
 
On second thought, sitting back watching this is way better then full remote access, but I’ll still take that cocktail….as I watch.
 
Only 562 bags to go.


Are you a mulcher? If so what do you use?
 
grateful
for little helpers
 
 
PS…..all kidding aside, here are some benefits I have found from regular mulching in the yard.
 
In hot climate areas, helps keep the plants roots cooler.
 
Slows down and stops week germination and growth.
 
Holds in soil moisture which will protect your precious plants, trees and flowers from drying out too quickly between watering.
 
In cold climate areas it will protect your plants roots from winter cold conditions.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Just a gal that loves to share my family, home decor, design and life around here in the country.... on my real life funny farm at Duke Manor

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12 Comments

  1. Yes, we are mulchers- a little south of you near Madison. If I'm not lucky enough to get the free mulch from the power company, we still have loose mulch delivered. And about 40 bales of pine straw delivered twice a year. It's a job, isn't it?! But worth it!

  4. We normally are mulchers but this year we opted not to. We would have hard wood mulch brought in with a dump trunk. We have been very dissatisfied with the quality!! The mulch would not even last one season. Also we found there was so much dirt and "other" things in it along with insects and other things we didn't want around the house. The mulch we add invited the moles, voles and other rodents we didn't want. I like the idea of the bags — so much easier to distribute and when we mulch again I believe we will use cedar!! Love having the kids help out.

  10. That is such a good idea to use your kids to help out like that. I'm sure they love riding their 4 wheelers around the property anyway! Luckily, our yard maintenance is not as large as yours so we just hire people to put pinestraw out for us.

  11. You had me fooled at the beginning but I know you live on a big piece of land so I believed it (we have sand delivered and spread for our beach!). Your kids are GREAT!!! And it's looking fab!

    Jane x

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