Mulch is the cheapest upgrade your yard can get, but timing and depth make the difference between beds that pop all year and beds that turn to mush.
I see two mistakes constantly: folks mulch at the wrong time, and they either pile it too deep or spread it too thin. Heat and humidity down here break mulch down faster than up north.
The Best Time to Mulch
Late winter into early spring, February through April. Down before the summer sun bakes the beds and before the weeds wake up. Once a year is plenty for most beds.
How Much You Actually Need
Two to three inches. Less and weeds push through. More and you smother roots. One cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at three inches.
Pine Straw or Hardwood?
Pine straw is light, cheap, and holds on slopes. Hardwood holds color and looks crisper out front. I will tell you which fits when I walk the beds.
