MulchingA key to keeping sediment out of streams is to keep soils stable. Mulch can be an effective ground cover and means of keeping soil on your property, especially in shady areas where grass and other vegetation may be difficult to grow,. Mulch also helps protect the integrity of underlying soil, helps stormwater soak into the ground, keeps tree root systems moist, and provides habitat for small critters and microorganisms. Mulch should generally be applied no more than 2-4" in depth and never mounded against the trunk of a tree. Not all mulches are created equal. Cypress mulch should be avoided.
Benefits of mulch include:
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FREE Mulch!
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Leon County provides FREE mulch to Leon County and City of Tallahassee residents. Both coarse and fine mulches are available at the Solid Waste Facility on Apalachee Pkwy. Coarse mulch is also available at the County's three Rural Waste Service Centers. You do have to pick up the mulch (no delivery). It is recommended to call ahead to check on mulch availability.
Leon County Solid Waste Facility
7550 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Fl 32311 Phn: (850)606-1800 Mon-Sat: 8-5pm County Rural Waste Service Centers are open Fri-Sun and located in Woodville, Ft. Braden & Miccosukee.
For directions, hours of operation and phone numbers: Click Here |
Leon County Solid Waste Facility
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Volcano Mulching: Too Much of a Good Thing!
Too much mulch can indeed be a bad thing especially around tree trunks. Follow the links below to read a couple of good articles about some good and bad mulching practices.
http://www.student.nvcc.edu/home/preddic/LawnGarden09/mulch.html http://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/2014/02/volcano-mulching-too-much-of-a-good-thing/ http://leon.ifas.ufl.edu/News_Columns/2007/102507g.pdf |
Additional Information
Proper Mulching Techniques: An informative and easy to read two page brochure printed by the International Society of Arboriculture.
Keep It Covered With Mulch: April 14, 2016 article about mulch written by Mark Tancig at the UF-IFAS Extension Office.
Keep It Covered With Mulch: April 14, 2016 article about mulch written by Mark Tancig at the UF-IFAS Extension Office.