Is there a good reason to mulch in January, when plants are dormant? YES, it's not only a good idea, but you should! Mulching in January can protect your plants from freezing temperatures and dry winds, which can destroy their roots. Read on to find out why mulching in January can help you have hearty, beautiful beds in spring.

Throughout the cold months of winter, your lawn goes through a process called “heaving.” This is when it repeatedly freezes and thaws, causing it to contract and then expand. Heaving will often result in the root systems of plants being pushed to the surface of the soil, where winds and freezing temperatures damage them. Mulching in January, especially right after a hard frost, will help protect your plants from the heaving process and save their roots. 

Many people think that leaving dead leaves in plant and flower beds and on their lawns acts as mulch and is just fine for protecting plants from erosion and the elements. But that’s not the case — dead leaves can mat, keeping rain, oxygen, and nutrients from reaching the root systems. The leaves can also develop fungus, which wil then spread to your lawn.

So, be sure to keep your lawn and plant beds free from leaves and debris and go ahead and spread that mulch! You'll be glad you did when spring arrives.

If you’re not excited about the prospect of going outside in cold January weather to mulch, we can do it for you! Call us at 828-684-8050 and ask about our Landscape Maintenance Programs. We can help you keep your landscape looking its best in January and throughout the rest of the year.