There are always tons of different landscaping products you can choose from to improve the appearance of your yard and enrich the soil on your land. The problem is deciding which ones are right for you and will serve the purpose you need them to. Every great gardener understands the benefits that mulch can have for gardening and landscaping. They can help to reduce the number of weeds, control the temperature of the soil, and add organic matter to the soil over time. In order for plants to grow, you want all of these things happening. Many people are inclined to use wood chips in their landscaping endeavors. Below, we will discuss the ways you can use wood chips to their maximum benefit.

Why Use Wood Chips?

As we mentioned earlier, wood chips can offer a lot of benefits for your landscaping and garden areas. You might just think they look great and can add a lot to the appearance of your garden or landscaping. This is certainly true because they are aesthetically pleasing and can provide a natural look to any area you decide to put them in. Wood chips also serve some important landscaping functions as well, like keeping weeds out and ensuring that your soil stays cool during the hot summer month. There are plenty of reasons why you might want to explore using wood chips in your landscaping. You can also use wood chips to create pathways in your garden that won’t injure the plants whenever you are walking over it. The uses for wood chips in landscaping are limitless, which is why it’s a great idea for you to consider.

How to Use Wood Chips in Your Landscaping

1. Plan Out Where You Will Use Them

The first step for effectively using wood chips in your garden or landscaping is to visualize the area you will be using them in. You can use wood chips to create a more natural feel in many areas. Wood chips work well in a variety of landscaping settings, all you need is a little bit of creativity and a vision for the look that you want for your property. You can use them as mulch or you can even lay wood chips down to create nice walkways in your landscaping that are low-maintenance.

2. Acquire the Wood Chips from a Reputable Source

Many people opt to receive their wood chips from municipal landfills and compost sites. This can be a good way to receive wood chips for free or at a very low price, but you should be wary of any wood chips that smell sour, as that might mean that they are toxic. Toxic wood chips can wreak havoc on your lawn and the plants in your landscaping if you aren’t careful. You might be bringing in fungus or other dangerous organisms onto your property if you get your wood chips from unregulated sources. If you are looking for the best source for wood chips, mulch, and other landscaping products, you can’t go wrong with Cal Blend Soils Inc. We can provide you with quality landscaping products that you can truly rely on.

3. Clear the Area

Before you lay down your wood chips, you want to make sure that the area you selected has been cleared of weeds and any unwanted vegetation. It will be a lot harder to get rid of this type of undesirable vegetation after you lay your mulch down, so make sure you clear the area out well before you lay anything down.

4. Strategically Spread the Wood Chips

Now it’s time to start laying down and spreading out your wood chips. There are a few tips to keep in mind that can benefit your landscaping. You should try to spread them loosely over the desired area and create an even layer that is right around 2 to 3 inches thick. Try to keep the wood chips at least 6 inches or so away from the base of your plants. If you don’t you could end up with problems related to trapped moisture killing or rotting some of your plants. You also want to make sure that you water the wood chips after you spread them out to prevent certain types of fungus.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Wood Chips

After you have spread your wood chips out, you should still keep an eye on them over time. If they seem to be growing fungi or fading away, you can flip them and add additional wood chips to the existing layer. Maintaining the appearance of your wood chips is easy, all you have to do is inspect them every now and then to see what their status is.

If you have any questions about wood chips or how to make the most out of them, contact Cal Blend Soils Inc. We have experience with all different types of landscaping products and give you the tips and advice you need to make the most out of your landscaping.

Some of the other forms of mulch you can look into for your garden or landscaping include bark, straw, grass clippings, shredded leaves, and composted animal manure. All of these are an example of organic mulch that can improve the quality of the soil and add the nutrients that your plants need. You can also go with inorganic mulches like lava rocks, stone, pulverized rubber and more to add mulch that won’t need to be replaced very often. Inorganic mulch is best suited for controlling weeds and for decorative use.

As you can see, there are tons of different types of mulch to choose from. This might be overwhelming for some, but the variety will allow you to achieve the look you want while letting your landscaping and your plants reap all of the benefits that mulch has to offer.