Let's Talk Mulch!

Hello and welcome to the inaugural post of the Hofeling bLOG. (Get it? 😜) My name is Tory and I’ve been at Hofeling Enterprises for three months, helping out with projects in the office.

Feeding the Hogzilla!

I was at the grocery store shortly after starting work at Hofeling Enterprises and the cashier asked me what I do for a living. I told her, “I work in the office at a mulch yard,” and her first reaction was, “okay, tell me WHAT the purpose of mulch is!” I was both flabbergasted that she was actually interested in what I do…and a little caught off-guard because no one had asked me that before! I stuttered out an explanation of keeping soil moist and combating weeds, but realized I only had the barest understanding myself. SO! The purpose of this bLOG is hopefully to answer some of those questions you might also have.

For this very first post, let’s start with the importance of mulching, and the process whereby it’s created! The premium mulch we sell here at Hofeling Enterprises is a recycled hardwood product: arborists, landscapers, land clearing crews, and even regular ol’ homeowners bring their tree trimmings to us and dump them in a giant pile of limbs and brush. We then scoop the trimmings into a massive industrial grinder called the Hogzilla and grind them up into small pieces, then run those pieces through the Hogzilla again to ensure that the size and consistency of the grindings are relatively uniform. Not only does that look more polished and professional, but it helps the grindings cling to each other better, which reduces the chance of that mulch blowing out of beds or washing away in weather. We can sell that double-ground mulch au naturel, but in my [super professional] opinion, it looks even better once it’s dyed — we use vegetable-based organic dyes in four different colors to give the mulch just that lil’ something extra.

“Okay, but WHY should I put down mulch in the first place?” Yeah, yeah, I know! Getting there! Spreading mulch in your flower or garden beds, in landscaping, and around trees and shrubs will do exactly what I told the grocery store cashier: it helps the soil retain moisture and cuts down on weeds, because it smothers them and keeps them from getting the sunlight they need to grow. Beyond that, though, mulch does so much more! It serves as an insulator for the soil, shielding it from intense heat in the summer and acting as a blanket in the winter; it helps prevent water run-off (saving time, money, and water itself); it provides a more forest-like ground condition for your trees, which helps their long-term root health.

When it comes to your yard, I bet you didn’t know that one of the biggest problems with urban soil, which can routinely be stripped of nutrients, walked on, and driven on, is compaction. If there’s not enough air between soil particles, plants’ roots have a harder time breathing, causing undue stress on the plant. Trees in particular are especially predisposed to infections without proper root care. Proper applications of mulch, then, will slowly decompose into the soil, adding nutrients and organic matter as well as aerating the roots (which can also help with rain/water absorption). Applying about 3 inches of fresh mulch every three years or so — that’s about how long it takes for the mulch to decompose into the soil — can significantly help your trees’ health, and a healthy tree makes for a happy homeowner!

Last but not least, let’s not discount the curb appeal of fresh mulch! Just like a fresh coat of paint or a perfectly edged lawn, a coat of clean, new mulch refreshes any landscaping and gives areas a well-cared-for vibe.

Have I convinced you of the myriad benefits of mulch? Give us a call at 402-438-8733 for pricing and bulk delivery options!