How to Mulch a Yard

Overview

Mulch is an ideal addition, and an important one, to your lawn, garden and landscape. It is basically any type of protective organic covering, whether it is wood chips, peat moss or straw. There are many uses for mulch, and it can benefit your lawn or landscape immensely. If is just important to know what kind of mulch you need, when and how to apply it, and where.

Step 1

Apply mulch differently for each season. Apply it in the spring for warm-weather preparation, and apply it in the winter around two to three days after the first frost. In warm weather, layer mulch 1 to 2 inches to keep the soil cool and to hold in moisture. In cold weather, mulch should be several inches thick to provide insulation.

Step 2

Fertilize your lawn with mulch. Mix your grass clippings (to break down and provide nitrogen) with straw or shredded wood (this all depends on your type of grass). Spread this over your grass in a layer that corresponds with the season.

Step 3

Spread mulch around your trees and plants to prevent weeds, retain moisture and provide insulation to help the trees and plants flourish. The mulch should not come in contact with the stem of the plant; leave a space of about 1 inch.

Step 4

Use mulch when seeding your lawn, whether it is a new lawn or just patching up some dead spots. Layer some mulch thinly over the grass seeds to help protect them from foraging birds or animals, keep in moisture, and speed up germination. Finely shredded compost or straw are both good options.