Mulch provides the best finishing touch on a commercial landscape in spring.
A fresh layer of mulch adds drama and texture to flower beds. It presents a neat, clean and complete landscape picture.
In addition to these aesthetic perks, mulch also provides a host of utilitarian benefits to the landscape. Mulch limits unsightly weeds, helps the soil and plant roots retain moisture (which is especially important during Atlanta’s hot and dry summer months) and aids in erosion control by keeping the soil in place during storms.
Every Atlanta commercial property manager knows they need a fresh mulch application to bring all of these benefits to their properties, but when it comes time for choosing the best type of mulch to use, this can be a daunting decision to make.
How To Pick The Best Mulch For A Commercial Landscape
You might be asking, “Which mulch will perform the best on my landscape? Which mulch will look the best on my commercial landscape? Which mulch will last longer? Which mulch won’t fade as fast? Which mulch is more readily available in this area?”
We’re here to break down the best types of mulch we use and how they differ to help make your choice easier. Beyond this, hardwood and pine straw mulches do have some distinct differences. Here’s a closer look at what might be the best mulch for commercial landscaping in our Atlanta area.
Hardwood Mulch
Hardwood mulch comes in a wide array of varieties and colors—from hardwood to pine to cedar to cypress and then from warm red tones to rich browns to the deepest black. It also comes in many sizes, from shredded to large nuggets.
Hardwood mulch decomposes more slowly so it may not require two applications each year. But hardwood mulch color can fade so it requires regular refreshing to keep up with your aesthetic goals.
Hardwood mulch is heavier so it’s not as easy to move, but it’s usually a little better for the soil as it decomposes.
Pine Straw Mulch
Pine straw mulch comes from pine tree needles, which are raked and baled for use as mulch, so the product is renewable and is naturally sourced. It’s also readily available in the South, so it’s a great sustainable addition to any Atlanta commercial property.
It comes in only one color—brownish-red. so it’s a nice, neutral shade provides a great base to help show off each landscape bed’s bright plant hues. Pine straw mulch is also very thin in texture, staying loose and linking together. This texture lets weed seeds fall through where they won’t take root. This is in contrast to thicker hardwood mulches that can have a tendency to create places for weed seeds to germinate.
Because it’s thin, pine straw mulch breaks down more quickly. This means it usually requires two, or possibly three, applications each year—in spring and in fall.
Which Mulch Is Best For Your Commercial Property?
Both pine straw and hardwood mulches can provide the many overall benefits of mulch to any Atlanta commercial property’s landscape beds and tree wells. In addition, as both mulches break down, they release organic matter to supply the soil with nutrients and improve its texture over time.
Since pine straw mulch needs installed two to three times a year and hardwood mulch takes one installation, but requires an additional refreshing service, both types of mulch ends up costing the same.
Whichever mulch you choose, it instantly improves your property’s appearance and landscape health. HighGrove prefers installing pine straw mulch on its Atlanta commercial clients’ landscapes because it’s easily found, cost-efficient, breaks down more simply and provides better weed prevention.
HighGrove Partners’ experts can help you choose the right mulch for your property. Give us a call at 678-298-0550 or use our simple contact form and we’d be happy to answer all of your questions.
And be sure to check out our 2015 Commercial Property Trends Report below for more tips and trends to help your commercial become more attractive, smarter and more sustainable this year and for years to follow.
Last modified: March 18, 2022