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7 Things You Ought to Know About Mulch

Selecting mulch in today’s market may seem a lot like shopping for ceramic tiles: you have seemingly endless color options, including brilliant blue, dark red, ruby red, black, amber, gold, green or basic brown. With mulch increasingly being praised for its decorative properties, it’s easy to lose sight of the benefits that it can bring to your landscaping and gardening projects.

Before rushing off to grab your designer choice in mulch, make sure you understand what you should be doing to get maximum benefits. Here are 7 things to consider:

1. Understand the benefits of mulch. Keep in mind that the whole business of mulching is to help your soil retain moisture, prevent the growth of weeds and minimize erosion. That’s why experts recommend that you start laying mulching before the temperatures get too hot.
2. Choose mulch from trusted suppliers. It’s important that your mulch provider follows best storage practices. According to Purdue Extension specialists, if wood mulch has been improperly stockpiled, it can sour. This can cause problems with your plants, causing damage or total loss. Signs that you’re using sour mulch: plants look like they have been burned by fertilizer or pesticides shortly after the mulch is applied. Take a tour of your supplier’s property if you have concerns.
3. Remove old mulch. Before laying new mulch, remove some of the mulch in the bed, especially if it has been built up for several seasons.
4. Choose colored mulch as an accent. When selecting mulch, especially the more brightly colored types, keep your overall landscaping, home, and plants in mind. A dark neutral mulch can provide a nice contrast to colorful plants, while rich brown pine bark can complement a more subdued landscape.
5. Use the right amount. About 3 inches of mulch is adequate for most applications. With delicate plants, try 2 inches of mulch so you don’t smother them.  If necessary, apply another thin layer of mulch if you find that weeds are pushing through in your beds.
6. Mulch around trees and bushes. Don’t stop at mulching around plant beds. Your trees and bushes could also use some attention to ensure that they’re protected and receiving adequate moisture.
7. Don’t forget winter mulch. When you apply mulch before winter hits, you protect your plants from wide temperature fluctuations in the soil, which can be damaging. Applying mulch in the winter is a process that is designed to keep plants dormant — not warm.  Timing is essential. Don’t apply it too early, or plants may become smothered and diseased. Instead, apply it after the temperatures remain consistently below freezing and plants are completely dormant. Winter mulch isn’t about decoration, it’s about function: choose straw, grass clippings and pine needles to start.

Unsure where to go for the best mulch in greater Indianapolis? Contact us for diverse options at a great price.

Residential Rubber Mulch: Reduce Landscaping Cost and Maintenance

Rubber mulch is a preferred buffer for playgrounds, sports fields, military training fields and equestrian areas because it is a soft, springy surface–kinder for children, athletes and any situation that invites falls and injuries. The material also holds great benefit for residential lawns, giving homeowners a means to reduce the cost and amount of yard work. How and why should you consider rubber mulch in your yard? Read on.  

The material is straightforward: rubber mulch is made from recycled tires that might otherwise sit in a landfill. In your yard, however, the mulch is productive:

Resists insects, including termites. The last thing a homeowner needs are pests. Wood mulch invites termites and carpenter ants, which can be enormously destructive to the structure of a home. Rubber mulch, however, is a deterrent and can form a protective buffer, making it an ideal to use in flower beds surrounding the house.

Reduces maintenance and stays color true. Wood mulch generally needs to be replaced annually, because the color fades and organic material breaks down. Rubber mulch, however, can last for 10 years or more, retaining its vibrant color and functionality.

Stays put and lets rain drain. After a rainstorm or windy weather, you may have to clean up wood mulch and restore it to various beds. But rubber mulch stays put. It’s heavier, and it doesn’t absorb water the way wood mulch does. Water and fertilizer are able to drain into plants and soil more efficiently, which allows you to get greater results from lesser effort.   

Prevents new weeds. If weeds are already rooted, rubber mulch won’t necessarily stop growth.  You’ll likely have to weed these by hand. But rubber is much more effective at blocking airborne seeds from reaching the soil and germinating. This can be a boon for preventing stubborn weeds from taking root and developing.

Odor-free. Don’t let tire material fool you: rubber mulch is fairly odorless when it’s been laid down, and for homeowners who are plagued with the smell of decomposing wood, the rubber alternative is a godsend.

Gives plants breathing room. Wood mulch can clump and suffocate plants, but rubber doesn’t have the same qualities. It spreads and stays evenly distributed, so your plants have more space and opportunity to breathe.

Want to give rubber mulch a try? We’d be happy to talk you through questions and color options, including our most popular: red, brown and uncolored. Contact us today!

Preparing Landscape Beds for Gardening

When you invest in a new home or business, one is generally focused on structural or decorative projects, not the condition of the soil and how it affects future landscaping projects.  Landscaping helps with curb appeal, but without healthy topsoil; flowers, grass, trees and shrubs simply won’t mature properly. We believe that topsoil is an essential part of landscaping and guarantee it will increase longevity for your lawn and landscape. Here are guidelines to prep landscape beds for spring gardening.

Do you know if your soil is healthy?

Topsoil contains vital organic nutrients homeowners and landscapers know are necessary for plant growth. You can determine the condition of your soil with a soil test, which will confirm if your soil has all the organic matter and nutrients your plants need to grow.  

Soil analysis will measure the quantity of nutrients in your lawn—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are natural elements mixed in soil and a life source for plants. Checking the balance of these elements is important, here’s why:  

Phosphorus: promotes plant maturity and seed development

Nitrogen: feed tree roots to aid leaf growth and produce green leaves

Potassium: nurtures plant strength and boost plant color

Potenz Hydrogen: pH balance measures the acidity of a solution in your garden’s soil

Avoid neglecting your soil’s natural resources on your property, especially malnourished areas that require more attention. Testing your soil will reveal its strengths and weakness. Soil testing kits are found at any local gardening retailer.

Types of soil

The types of topsoil your lawn needs depends on the requirements of your landscaping project. Topsoil sustains life in flowers, grass, shrubs and trees with roots reaching deep into the soil. Testing your soil or conducting a soil analysis will affirm the condition of your lawn:

Pulverized Topsoil:  Put on a fresh layer of topsoil to rid the soil of clods and rocks. Pulverized to a fine consistency, pulverized field soil is perfect for your general landscaping needs.

Organic Black Peat Based Topsoil:  Is substantially rich in organic matter with a neutral pH balance. Loaded with humus, hydrated with a high degree of water and nutrient retention capabilities.

Compost: A blend of animal waste, leaves and mulch fines. Aged like a fine wine; compost gets better with age. Turning compost at regular intervals will aid the decomposition process. Not recommended for direct seeding.

Planters Mix:  A combination of pulverized topsoil and compost with a small amount of sand and bark fines for permeability. Planters mix will give your soil the little extra boost that it needs.

Visit a reputable topsoil retailer near central Indiana for topsoil that is rich with all the resources your garden needs to grow. McCarty Mulch and Stone is devoted to providing topsoil all year so you can have a healthy, beautiful outdoor space. Contact us and ask about our delivery options or visit us in Greenwood Indiana and we’ll help you reach your maximum green thumb potential with our premium soil products.

Natural Stone Design Trends For Your Landscaping

You’ve purchased your mulch and other landscaping accessories for the new season but something is missing. Maybe you need a little something extra to enhance the beauty of your outdoor living space. Try something new. Start your creative venture with natural stone designs.

What is natural stone?

• It does not have synthetic material and chemicals
• It blends effortlessly with outdoor environment and
• It’s versatile

Natural stone products include granite, limestone, sandstone, marble and slate. These stones are frequently used in environmental designs. Using natural stone means you get to choose a selection of design projects. You can cover unwanted dirt paths using granite flagstone. These are flat stones available in multiple colors like blue, gray, pink, black, pale green and burgundy. Give your yard some privacy by adding natural stone walls, too. Natural stone will hold up better over time, unlike artificial stones that fade. (Artificial stones are painted concrete that  is exposed more over time during seasonal changes.)

How to pick a natural stone

Be sure that the stone you select is suitable for your yard. This requires understanding the parameters of your home so you can calculate how much stone you will need. Create a budget for your project. Connect with your local suppliers. Natural stone products are an investment, so let your distributor select a stone that meets your budget and quality standards.  

Choosing color and pattern helps set the tone for your landscaping project. Consider all options available–view and sample stones at your local distributor. Before making a final decision, you want a realistic visual of how the stone will look in your yard, so take pictures when you visit your retailer and give yourself time to think through your options.

Stone project ideas

You want your landscape design to “pop!” Natural stones have reliable versatility. You can design steps, waterfalls, fire pits, and benches based on the most popular designs using natural stone, because the multichromatic color range, textures, and patterns are aesthetically pleasing.

If you decide to do a wall cladding design that allows water to pour down stone walls creating a waterfall, do some research on the right stone that is required. Absorption data determines how the stone will age and wear over time as it gets wet, so be aware of that prior to executing the project. Although stone will last a long time, knowing what you’re up against is advantageous.

For example, a stone concrete floor is a beautiful paving that will have a large impact on the overall look of your project. Stone absorption is challenged when weather elements like snow, water and ice freeze on the surface and rest there. Be sure to research stone specifications for snowy seasons and natural stone flooring.

But before you dig, plan your project and dig with care.  If you’re a resident in Greenwood, IN the city will help you with safety guidelines and laws for digging. You need to know specific details about where you plan to dig and mark those designated areas with white paint or flags.  Utility flags create safe zones for digging with hand tools.

When you’re ready to build a retaining wall, flagstone path or a stone fire pit? We can help. McCarty Mulch & Stone has served the city of Greenwood and the greater Indianapolis area for more than 20 years. Let us help you plan your landscaping projects, receive quality materials and experience 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Give us a call today!

3 Easier Alternatives to a Backyard Pond

Your yard needs water. Of course, if you have grass and plants, requires a nice sprinkling on a regular basis. But you also could enhance your home by using water as an aesthetic. According to HGTV, ponds, fountains and other water features are still popular among homeowners.

While a pond can be a lovely addition to your backyard, it can also be a lot of work. Aside from the labor involved to create the pond, it requires ongoing maintenance. Problems that may develop include algae accumulation, a leaking pond liner, and predators or parasites killing fish.

If you want a water feature without the hassle of installing and maintaining a pond, the following ideas may be good alternative.

Make a bubbler fountain

Bubbler fountains that gently move water through a small pump are easy to make. You can make a bubbler fountain out of boulders, pots or anything else that can hold water. They use only the water within the fountain, so they don’t require in-ground reservoirs.

McCarty Mulch sells inexpensive bubbler pumps, which you can use to turn a large stone pot or bowl into your fountain. We can also custom drill a boulder for you here at our location or you can choose from many of our pre-drilled boulders. Another option would be to drill a hole in the bottom of a container or pot for the electrical cord, but you don’t have to hard-wire electricity to the fountain – pumps plug into an outdoor outlet, and you can hide the cord under mulch, or in vegetation. Once the pump is in the pot, place it on a bed of decorative rock and add water to the pot, and your fountain is finished.

Create a water wall

Making a water wall is a bigger project that requires the use of a table saw and compound miter saw. If you have the tools and the time, a water wall is a nice way to add some visual interest to a patio.

A basic water wall is made of a trough that, with a surrounding frame, supports panels that water runs down. Some people use tempered glass to make water walls, but you could also use galvanized steel or any material that can tolerate water.

Put a pond in a barrel

Using a pot or barrel, you can make a smaller, freestanding version of a pond and still enjoy the perks of having fish and water plants. To ward off mosquitoes, you would need a pond pump, which adds a lot of expense to an otherwise inexpensive project. If you don’t want to buy a pump, put mosquito dunks in the water.

Add some large rocks or decorative rocks to the pot to serve as underwater plant stands (the rocks elevate plants, so they are at least partly above the water line). Add goldfish a few days after you add water, because tap water contains additives that may harm fish, but those additives evaporate after time.

5 Ways to Use Your Leftover Mulch

Finished spreading this season’s mulch but still have some to spare? Look at that leftover pile as a golden opportunity! Mulch is good for more than just flower beds, so before you add another layer around your roses, consider using the extra in a new kind of way.

1. Upgrade Your Mailbox Landscaping

A small wheelbarrow-load of mulch is probably all you’ll need to give your mailbox post a fresh upgrade. While you’re at it, why not transplant a couple hostas or flowers? They’ll add more color at the end of your driveway, and the fresh mulch is sure to help them flourish!

2. Donate to the Neighbors

If you’re one of those people who finished mulching early on your block, you can always deliver a small load to one of your neighbors. Everyone likes a free gift, and they’ll definitely appreciate the gesture—even if you’re too tired yourself to help them spread it.

3. Make a Mini Mulch Path

Just because your front yard is looking sharp, it doesn’t mean you can forget about the back! Once all of your trees and landscaping have their mulch, try adding wood mulch around your raised-bed gardens. A layer of three or four inches will help define the space between the garden boxes and create a nice pathway for you to reach your veggies.

4. Spread it as “Killing Mulch”

For those especially hardy, out-of-control plants, mulch might be your secret weapon. Whether you’ve been battling an army of ivy for years, or a patch of running bamboo, extra mulch can help finish the job. Simply cut back as much of plant as you can, and then bury it deep under a mulch avalanche. A foot or two of “killing mulch” works to smother even the toughest of weeds.

5. Keep the Extra for Next Year

You can always store your leftovers for later in the season if you’re ready to call it quits for now. All you need are a couple tarps and an inconspicuous place to hide the pile. Spread your mulch evenly over the first tarp so the airflow can prevent any mold growth. Then just anchor the other tarp on top to act as a roof. You’ll be able to dig back in when the time is right. And if you happen to see any thin, white strands in the mulch later on, fear not—it’s probably mycelia, a kind of fungal spore that’s actually good for plants.

With these tricks up your sleeves, you’ll be able to make the most of your mulch pile every year. There are plenty of ways to utilize your extra mulch, so get creative and have fun with your landscaping. Even small projects can make a big impact!

Grass Alternatives: When You Want the Lawn to be Gone

Whether you’re selling, buying or just staying put, curb appeal is likely among your top considerations when it comes to rating a home’s attractiveness. In the Midwest, that typically means having a lush green lawn. However, that all comes with a price tag — both in time and money.

If you’re the DIY type, that means you’ll need time to mow, weed, edge, rake, fertilize – and you’ll have to buy all those lawn care tools, too. Homeowners who have little free time may decide to hire a lawn care company, and in Indianapolis, you can expect to pay around $40 a week to maintain the average-size yard. But if vast unbroken expanses of green aren’t that important to you, there are alternatives to grass that require little maintenance.

NATURAL STONE – Flagstone, brick or gravel are good alternatives to grass when combined with other landscape elements like shrubs, plants or groundcover. Natural stone is porous, allowing water to penetrate the ground, and it’s helpful in preventing weed growth.

If you use tightly spaced pavers or bricks, plant a fast-spreading ground cover in the gaps to discourage weeds from taking root.

GROUND COVER – Perennial ground cover plants tend to be dense, and as they spread, they prevent sunlight from reaching most grass or weed seeds hiding in the ground beneath them.

Some ground cover requires almost no care. Sedum, a hardy succulent, needs very little soil to establish roots. You can snap off a section of this plant, throw it on the ground somewhere, and it’ll likely be content to grow roots and start spreading.

Many varieties of ground cover will sprout tiny flowers. Vinca minor — also known as periwinkle or myrtle — produces purplish flowers in the spring. Vinca will grow in full sun, but it prefers the cooler, moister ground of partially shaded areas. It may require some specialized attention when first planted to ensure it’s getting adequate nutrients and moisture, but once established, it’s a resilient plant that can withstand repeated trampling from the family dog.

WILDFLOWERS/ORNAMENTAL GRASSES – Some homeowners’ associations may limit what you can do with your yard, but if no rules apply, you could turn your yard into a meadow-like environment, full of wildflowers and decorative grasses.

Poppies, larkspur and most flowers in the daisy family are excellent choices if you want flowers that will multiply year after year. Ornamental grasses are a nice complement to wildflowers, when grown in their own garden bed that allows them plenty of room to expand. And when you add plant diversity to your yard, you may attract colorful new visitors, like butterflies and hummingbirds.

When it comes to curb appeal, you have plenty of options beyond lush green grass. Just take some time to explore them.

Working with Mulch: Tricks of the Trade

What’s so hard about mulch?  You shovel some around your plants and bushes, and that’s it, right? Not exactly.

There are a few tricks of the trade to getting the most out of your mulch delivery.  Apply too much, or in the wrong place, and you could choke out your plants.  Skimp on the mulch, and you don’t derive any benefits – because the point is to improve nutrition, weed control, and moisture retention.

To help get the best look and the best results for your landscaping, here are a few tips for how pros install mulch.

Mulching Tips

• Do not place mulch directly against plant crowns or tree bases. Mulch placed directly in contact with stems or tree trunks may retain excess moisture around the base of the plant.  Overly wet soil can foster a whole host of diseases, including crown rot. High piles of mulch can also become a bit of a varmint hotel, attracting predatory insects and bark and stem-eating rodents.  Give the base of your plants and shrubs a little bit of room to breathe.
• Mulch applied too thickly anywhere can cause problems.  In fact, it can cause a whole cascade of problems. A wood mulch when piled more than three inches high will start to rot much faster than usual.  It can create a thatch-like mat that keeps water from penetrating through to the soil below. Therefore, the plants you were hoping to protect are suddenly deprived of the moisture they need to live. Mulching too deeply can also cause the soil to remain continuously damp, but not nourished, contributing to root and stem rot problems in addition to depriving plants of needed oxygen. Apply a mulch layer no more than one to three inches thick.
• Thoroughly water newly installed wood or bark mulches.  Many good quality mulches are stored in large piles that reach high temperatures.  When the mulch is spread or bagged, the high-temperature tolerant microorganisms that inhabit the mulch die as the mulch cools.  If the mulch is allowed to dry out or remain dry, nuisance fungi can colonize the mulch and create a water-repellent surface.
• Add a source of nitrogen to garden soils before applying wood–derived mulches.  Soil microorganisms that decompose organic materials such as wood-based mulches are effective competitors for limited soil nitrogen. So, if you fail to apply some nitrogen to the soil under your garden mulch, you could unwittingly be setting the stage to deprive your plants of needed nutrients. This may cause temporary nitrogen deficiencies especially in annual and perennial plants. Yellowing of leaves often indicates a nitrogen deficiency. Lightly incorporate a source of nitrogen such as bloodmeal, urea or a high nitrogen lawn fertilizer before applying mulch, and your landscaping will be good to go.

Make the work you do on your landscaping count.  Do the job right the first time; take the time to occasionally water and rake your mulch, and you will enjoy the effects all season.

Which Mulch Should I Use?

As warmer temperatures inspire us to leave our indoor cocoons, thoughts turn to the annual ritual of landscape mulch. With so many choices of mulch on the market, how do you choose which kind is right for you?

Most mulch made from trees will provide protection and nutrients for your plants, shrubs and trees, as well provide moisture retention, soil conditioning, erosion and weed control. Mulch also provides a finished and aesthetic appeal to landscapes.

After purchasing mulch from a reputable company, the kind of mulch you choose then becomes a personal choice.

TRADITIONAL – Traditional, non-colored mulches such as Cedar, Cypress and Premium Hardwood varieties provide a soft, muted, natural look to landscapes. These mulches are easy to spread and require no curing time before watering. Cedar and Cypress mulches also give off an appealing aromatic scent that many people prefer.

COLOR – Another choice is colorized mulch, available in traditional, Black, Brown, Red and Gold. These mulches offer more aesthetic appeal. Mulch dyed with non-toxic, vegetable based colorant is safe to use and will not hurt plants, pets or children.

Preparation for color mulches

Color mulches do need a little more care in the beginning. They need a curing time of 24-48 hours after spreading to allow the color to completely permeate the mulch and become stable. Don’t let this mulch come in contact with concrete or other porous surfaces until it is cured.

It is a good idea to plan to use colored mulch when rain will not be a threat for a couple of days.

However, after the curing time, the colored mulch is stable and will provide long lasting color throughout the season.

Choose color mulches to enhance or contrast your home’s color and/or to make your landscaping pop. Recent landscape trends suggest mixing two colored mulches for a unique, “confetti” appearance.

Mulch serves practical and aesthetic purposes

Many people choose to use different mulches in their landscape for both curb appeal and organic purposes. For example, traditional or color mulch may be used for plantings, while in high traffic areas you may want to use an Economy Mulch that is chunkier and will break down more slowly. While this mulch is not known for is nutritional value, it will still provide the other benefits.

No matter whether you use a color enhanced mulch or a traditional non colored mulch, be sure to use a good quality mulch that will provide all the benefits it should to your landscape.