Mulching & Bed Maintenance
Keep your plant beds healthy and attractive with fresh mulch and regular maintenance services.
Why Mulch Matters
Mulch does a lot more than make your beds look tidy. It's one of the most important things you can do for your plants. A good layer of mulch conserves moisture by reducing evaporation from the soil. This means your plants stay hydrated longer between waterings, which is especially important during hot Portsmouth summers. Mulch also regulates soil temperature, keeping roots cooler in summer and protecting them from freezing in winter.
Mulch suppresses weeds by blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds in the soil. Fewer weeds means less competition for water and nutrients, so your plants thrive. As organic mulch breaks down, it adds valuable nutrients back into the soil, improving its structure and fertility over time. This natural process creates healthier conditions for plant roots and beneficial soil organisms.
Fresh mulch also dramatically improves curb appeal. Clean, well-defined beds with consistent mulch color make your entire landscape look polished and professional. If you're investing in quality landscaping, proper mulching protects that investment and keeps everything looking its best. Regular mulch refreshes are part of smart landscape maintenance that pays off in healthier plants and better appearance.
Our Bed Maintenance Services
We provide complete bed maintenance that goes beyond just spreading mulch. Our goal is to keep your planting beds healthy, attractive, and thriving throughout the year. Here's what we include in our mulching and bed maintenance services:
- •Weed removal by hand to eliminate competition for nutrients
- •Edging beds to create clean, defined borders
- •Removing old, decomposed mulch as needed
- •Installing fresh mulch at proper depth (2 to 3 inches)
- •Pruning shrubs and perennials for health and shape
- •Checking for pest and disease issues
- •Replacing dead or declining plants as needed
- •Cleaning up debris and keeping beds tidy
We use quality mulch that looks good and performs well. You can choose from several colors and types depending on your preferences and what works best for your plants. Most homeowners prefer hardwood mulch for its rich color and moderate decomposition rate. We apply mulch at the right depth to get maximum benefits without smothering plant stems or creating drainage problems.
How Often Should You Mulch?
Most beds need fresh mulch once a year to maintain a good appearance and continue providing benefits. Organic mulch breaks down naturally over time, which is actually good for your soil. However, as it decomposes, it loses volume and starts to look thin and faded. An annual refresh keeps beds looking full and fresh while maintaining the protective layer your plants need.
The best time to mulch is typically in spring after cleanup but before summer heat arrives. This timing gives plants a fresh layer of protection just as they enter their most active growing period. Some properties benefit from a second lighter application in fall, especially if the original mulch has decomposed significantly or you want extra winter protection for sensitive plants.
Between annual mulch applications, regular bed maintenance keeps everything in good shape. We recommend monthly or bi-monthly visits during the growing season for weeding, edging, and general tidying. This prevents small problems from becoming big ones and keeps your beds looking consistently well maintained. Combined with proper lawn care, regular bed maintenance creates a cohesive, professional landscape you can enjoy year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Refresh Your Landscape Beds?
Get a free estimate for mulching and bed maintenance services in Portsmouth, VA and surrounding areas.