We have all heard the phrase ‘April showers bring May flowers,’ but there are a few things we need to do to freshen up our outdoor space. April is the best time to clean up and mulch your garden beds! Boost your plants and stay ahead of weeds with these 4 easy steps: Prep, Fertilize, Mulch, Preen!

Why Mulch?

Mulching is a great way to start off your garden for the season and give it a refresh. Not only does mulch help to settle in the roots, but it also provides warmth, holds in moisture, suppresses weeds, encourages growth, and makes your beds look beautiful!

How Much do I need?

One of the biggest questions we get is “How much mulch do I need?” We recommend using a 2-3” thick layer the first year you mulch and 1-2” the following years. Make sure you know your bed’s dimensions and how thick you would like it, and our mulch calculator will do the work for you! Plus, you can order mulch online and schedule delivery right to your home.

4 STEPS TO BEAUTIFUL GARDEN BEDS

Step 1: Prep

Before you begin spreading mulch, start with simple raking, weeding, and general clean-up tasks. Prune any broken branches, and fix any uneven ground by adding Van Wilgen’s Topsoil or Compost.

Step 2: Fertilize

Fertilizing your trees, shrubs, roses, and perennials is a must in the spring! For heavy bloomers, don’t be afraid to double up your feed with Van Wilgen’s All Purpose fertilizer AND plant or holly tone. Your plants will thank you with extra flowers! Remember, always fertilize around the drip line of your plants (where water collects under foliage). Avoid placing fertilizer against the trunks and stems of plants.

Step 3: Mulch

Approach your garden beds in sections. Make a pile of mulch, and use a ‘flicking’ motion to spread it. This is the easiest way to ensure an even layer. Apply a 2-3” layer of mulch to the base of your plants, being careful to keep it at least 3’’ away from the stem of any plant.

Step 4: Preen

Preen essentially creates a barrier, preventing weeds from establishing. This is why we recommend spreading Preen on TOP, as the last step after you mulch. The bottle version has a great spreader on top to help you apply as evenly as possible. The more consistently Preen is applied, the more effective you’ll find it to be!

6 Varieties Available in Bulk & Bags!

We understand that everyone has their own personal style when it comes to mulch. Whether it’s the classic look of Black Mulch, a fragrant Cedar Mulch, or something in between, Van Wilgen’s has just the right option for your landscape. Our bagged mulch is a perfect match for our bulk mulch, so you can get your favorite type no matter how much you need. Not quite sure what you are looking for? Stop by the store to see a sample of our mulches or check out online images by clicking the link below.

You’d be amazed at what a fresh mulch application can do for your landscape. Once applied, it’ll look like you have a whole new garden.

Shop Bulk Mulch

It shouldn’t come as a surprise when visiting the “stinky” department at Van Wilgens that some of our team LOVE fertilizer! We “Fertilize, Mulch and Preen” which rhymes with a “1-2-3 routine”

Fertilize
We love fertilizer because it can be so helpful to our plants and the environment; veggie gardens will give you a much greater yield; annuals will push out more bloom; trees will establish deeper root systems, and shrubs will be less prone to disease.

Should I Fertilize?
In a nutshell…Yes!

What kind of Fertilizer do I need?
There is a fertilizer for every seed, every plant, and for every time of the year, so there are different categories of fertilizers:

Tone bags

Mulch
Mulching is considered one of the most beneficial things you can do for your soil and your plants. It is a vital step in keeping your plants healthy and thriving. A layer of mulch will help prevent the germination of many weed seeds, reducing the need for cultivation or use of herbicides. Over time, mulches made from organic materials break down and increase your soil’s structure and fertility. Mulches help moderate the soil temperature and retain moisture during dry weather, reducing the need for watering. Mulch also protects the soil from the impact of raindrops that can cause crusting.

Preen
Nope, this isn’t how bird’s keep their feather neat, it’s a granular pre-emergent put down after mulching, in early Spring, to prevent weed seeds from germinating

Big or small, that patch of earth in your backyard is a part of the planet we live on. Celebrate Earth Day by being kind to it. Like you, all of us at the garden center enjoy digging in the dirt and outdoor living. Here are a few of our favorite ways to “go green” this week and year-round.

• Plant a Tree. So for us, this is a no-brainer. Aside from the fact that we love beautiful the green canopy they create, they produce the oxygen we breathe. The amount produced by an individual tree is dependent on its species, maturity, and health. They also assist in filtering pollution from the air, and in reducing erosion.

• Mulch your Garden. Applying a layer of mulch to your flower beds not only limits erosion, but it also reduces the need to water. Mulching also means less weeding, and that’s a win/win

• Plant Milkweed and Fill a Planter with Annuals. Though it may be a weed to some, this plant is the only food eaten by the kind of caterpillars that become monarch butterflies. While you’re at it, fill one of your annual planters with flowers that welcome pollinators. The results will be beautiful and beneficial!

• Grow Your Own. Nothing tastes like vegetables that you’ve grown yourself. Whether you just grow a pot of tomatoes on the patio or you expand your large vegetable garden, you’ll be able to say, “I grew this, and it’s delicious!” ​

These are all kinds of practical ways to be kind to the earth 365 times a year. In the Garden is a great place to start.