Mulching helps save water

COURTESY PHOTO Mulching reduces the soil's exposure to wind which reduces water loss through evaporation. As Southwest Florida is experiencing one of its driest periods in history homeowners are faced with searching for ways to maintain their landscapes while adhering to mandatory one-day-a-week irrigation restrictions.

Professional gardeners have long known the use of good mulch conserves water by significantly reducing the moisture evaporation from the soil. Mulching has proven to be one of the best ways to grow healthy plants while conserving water.

"Mulch will help achieve up to a 25 percent reduction in soil moisture loss from evaporation," said John Cauthen, president of Forestry Resources Inc. "Mulching also reduces the soil's exposure to wind which reduces water loss through evaporation even more."

Mulch is a protective covering, usually of organic matter such as leaves, shredded wood or pine straw, placed around plants. In addition to the prevention of moisture evaporation, mulch also helps control weeds that compete with landscape plants for water.

"Properly laid organic mulch immediately after planting is paramount during a drought," said Tom Becker, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods extension agent, Lee County Extension Service. "Installing an organic mulch around groundcovers, annuals or shrubs does indeed increase new plant survival while immediately decreasing the need for frequent handwatering or frequent irrigation."

The insulating quality of mulch aids in keeping the soil cooler in the summer. "Mulch promotes better root growth and plant health by maintaining even soil moisture and temperature," added Cauthen.

At least three to four inches of mulch should be maintained at all times around plants and trees. Since organic matter decomposes over time, mulch should be replenished as often as necessary.

For information about Forestry Resources, landscaping and landscape products, and the Southwest Florida environment, call (239) 334-7343, visit one of their six wholesale-retail locations throughout Lee, Collier and Sarasota counties, or log onto www.gomulch.com on the Web.