• Measure the areas to be mulched. Enter the numbers into our volume calculator to give you amount in cubic yards.
• Edge or border the bed or tree well (see edging) so that grass and weeds can’t creep in. If the area has weeds or grass, apply herbicide and wait 5-7 days to apply mulch.
• Apply a 2" (top ups) to 4" layer of mulch. Allow some space for the plant stem to move, so it doesn't rub on the mulch.
• Water the mulched area periodically over the next 2-3 days to help the mulch bond with the soil and keep it from blowing in heavy winds.
• As mulch decomposes, rake it periodically to "freshen it up". Mulch should be topped up when it gets below 2". Make sure you are topped up in Summer and Winter to protect roots from damaging winds and harsh temperature changes.
• Try not to place mulch right up against the base of your trees, as it can cause the bark to rot.
• Eccochips may leach some nitrogen from your soil until it begins to decompose. Use of fertilizer during the growing season in conjunction with Eccochips is recommended.

 

Advantages to Mulching

• Evens soil temperatures;
• Reduces water evaporation;
• Prevents weed growth and reduces competition with grass for water and nutrients;
• Adds nutrients to the soil as it decays;
• Improves organic content of the soil;
• Improves worm content of the soil (therefore improves soil quality);
• Improves root density of developing trees and therefore the long term health and stability of the tree; and,
• Helps prevent erosion by holding soil in place during heavy rains.

 

Advantages to Composting

• Reduces the rate of nutrients released from soil;
• Improves plant and root growth;
• Improves the soil's porosity;
• Improves resistance to wind and water erosion;
• Improves water holding capacity; and,
• Suppresses plant disease in your garden.

 

Where Do I Use Compost? (as recommended by the Composting Council of Canada)

• Flower Beds: Work  2 1/2 cm (1”) of compost into the soil.  Water until the entire root zone is saturated. For new beds, add 2 1/2 to 5 cm (1” - 2”) of compost and rototill to at least a 12 cm (5”) depth.  Most annuals and perennials do quite well in compost amended soils.
• Top Dressing of Established Lawns: Aerate your lawn before topdressing.  Then spread 1/3 to 1 1/4 cm (1/8” to 1/2”) of  compost evenly over the area using a rake. Water the area thoroughly as the water helps the compost move through the thatch layer to the soil surface and into aeration holes where it can help retain valuable moisture.
• New Lawn Establishment: For lawns that are going to be seeded or sodded, apply about 2 1/2 to 5 cm (1” - 2”) of compost and rototill to a depth of 12 cm (5”). For seeded lawns, apply seed and then spread a thin layer of compost to cover seed.  Compost helps increase grass seed germination by providing adequate seed to soil contact, moisture and balanced nutrients.
• Planting Trees: Rototill up to 5 times the diameter of the rootball of the tree to be planted. Add about a 30% compost by volume to the area and mix thoroughly outside the hole with the native soil. Place the tree into the hole and use the compost amended soil mixture as a backfill around the rootball. Remove excess soil and water thoroughly.
• Vegetable Gardens: Apply about 2 1/2 cm (1”) of compost and rototill into the soil to a depth of 12 cm (5”).  You may need to apply compost on a yearly basis to poor soils until the proper nutrient level has been established. Do not over apply compost because many vegetables will not produce high yields if excess nitrogen is in the soil.
• For optimum mulch application results around annuals, perennials and other landscape plants, use a 5 cm (2”) layer of compost. Avoid over or under mulching because other problems can arise, such as smothering of root systems. Grade the mulch so water flows away from trunks reducing chances for crown rot.  Finer Compost does not suppress weeds as well as coarse-textured composts do.