Mulch Installation

IA Refines Strategy, Standards

The Irrigation Association has refined its mission statement and strategic initiatives following its July meeting of the Board of Directors. This includes the addition of “standards” as a new strategic initiative, which will focus on establishing product and practice standards that drive efficient irrigation.

Mission Statement:  Promote efficient irrigation technologies, products and services.

Strategic Initiatives:  Education, certification, government/public affairs and standards.  

“At its core, the Irrigation Association is a trade association, so the mission statement was refined to ensure it reflects our industry knowledge and expertise,” said IA President Mike Harrington. He emphasized that the organization’s unifying statement – to ensure water is available for irrigation for future generations – remains the same.

IA’s Board of Directors also updated the organization’s strategic initiatives, defining a new focus on standards.

“Government entities, businesses and the public are becoming increasingly cognizant of water’s value and finite state, so the ability to prove our industry’s efficiency is going to be pivotal in our continued growth,” said Harrington. “Therefore, IA has chosen to add a strategic focus on establishing product and practice standards that drive efficient irrigation.

“Our strategic focus on influencing public policy remains unchanged; because certification and education have increased in importance, the Board felt that each category should stand alone as a strategic initiative.” IA’s marketing/communications efforts will continue to support all initiatives

Ground Cover

 From a purely practical point of view, groundcovers offer alternatives to turf in hard-to-mow sites and reduce the need for watering and other maintenance. Groundcovers conserve moisture, maintain even soil temperatures and stabilize soil in erosion-prone areas.

Groundcovers can create visual pathways to help direct foot traffic and can help link ornamental plants or provide transitions among outdoor spaces. Many groundcovers spread quickly to form dense plantings, which can help to inhibit weeds.

Selection

When selecting groundcovers, consider their spread, height, location, function, foliage texture and color. Since no single species of plant works for every landscape situation, pay attention to soil conditions, light and moisture requirements. Some plants prefer partial shade, while others thrive in deep shade or full sun; a few tolerate a wide variety of light conditions. The most effective selections are chosen with an eye for how plant sizes relate to the intimacy or expanse of particular landscape sites. When groundcover will be used to prevent soil erosion on a steep slope, it should have an extensive root system and vigorous growth habit. Some groundcovers do not withstand excessive foot traffic. Before planting anything, create a walkway through areas intended for pedestrians

 Soil Preparation

A key to successfully establishing groundcovers is proper soil preparation. Before planting, eliminate weeds and turf from the area. For large areas, use a sod-stripping machine to clear turf. For weed control, consider a glyphosate herbicide or soil solarization. The process of solarizing uses the heat of the summer sun to raise soil temperatures high enough to kill harmful organisms and seeds in the ground. Solarize soil by laying strong transparent plastic over cleared and moistened soil. Seal the edges with soil and leave plastic in place for four to six weeks.

The Benefits of Using Mulch Neatly mulched beds improve the appearance of your landscape. But beyond its appearance, a layer of mulch provides numerous other benefits. Mulch protects the plants' root systems and can add much-needed nutrients to the soil. Mulch also slows the erosion of topsoil and helps to prevent weeds and retain moisture. In order for mulch to work and look its best, you must choose the best material for your landscape or garden and apply it properly. ACME Restoration is happy to provide this information as a service to you. 

Organic Mulches

Organic mulches also improve the condition of the soil. As these mulches slowly decompose, they provide organic matter which helps keep the soil loose. This improves root growth, increases the infiltration of water, and also improves the water-holding capacity of the soil. Organic matter is a source of plant nutrients and provides an ideal environment for earthworms and other beneficial soil organisms.

Inorganic Mulches

While inorganic mulches have their place in certain landscapes, they lack the soil improving properties of organic mulches. Inorganic mulches, because of their permanence, may be difficult to remove if you decide to change your garden plans at a later date. Therefore, this tip sheet is limited to the use of organic mulches.

When to Apply Mulch

Time of application depends on what you hope to achieve by mulching. Mulches, by providing an insulating barrier between the soil and the air, moderate the soil temperature. This means that a mulched soil in the summer will be cooler than an adjacent unmulched soil; while in the winter, the mulched soil may not freeze as deeply. However, since mulch acts as an insulating layer, mulched soils tend to warm up more slowly in the spring and cool down more slowly in the fall than unmulched soils.

Mulches used to help moderate winter temperatures can be applied late in the fall after the ground has frozen but before the coldest temperatures arrive. Applying mulches before the ground has frozen may attract rodents looking for a warm over-wintering site. Delayed applications of mulch should prevent this problem as, hopefully, the creatures would already have found some other place to nest!

Mulches used to protect plants over winter should be loose material such as straw, hay, or pine boughs that will help insulate the plants without compacting under the weight of snow and ice. One of the benefits from winter applications of mulch is the reduction in the freezing and thawing of the soil in the late winter and early spring. These repeated cycles of freezing at night and then thawing in the warmth of the sun cause many small or shallow rooted plants to be heaved out of the soil. This leaves their root systems exposed and results in injury or death. Mulching helps prevent the rapid fluctuations in soil temperature and reduces the chances of heaving.