MULCH OPERATIONS
MULCH OPERATIONS
Griffith Lumber hardwood mulch is a high-quality product of our sawing operations. Our mulch begins with debarking logs and then processing the bark through our double grinders for a natural, shredded consistency that provides beauty and function for a variety of needs.
Landscaping
Our mulch is perfect for all your landscaping needs. Mulch has a durable quality that lasts, a beauty that compliments all flowers and hardscapes, and a natural fertilizing element which enriches the soil while inhibiting weed growth.
Garden Use
Use our mulch after your growing season has ended. Cover your garden with mulch to retain soil nutrients and contribute to soil richness. When tilling or plowing, turning the mulch "under" will give you a fertile growing area each season as it composts and breaks down over time.
Playgrounds
Our double-ground mulch provides safety and durability for all playground surfaces. It is perfect for schools, daycare centers, churches, or your home playground. It provides soft-impact flooring for all children. It has a durability that lasts and adds beauty to any park or play area. It is more affordable than other alternatives and locks together to form a solid yet soft foundation. Are you looking for a cleaner product? Try our Poplar hardwood chips.
Nurseries & Distributors
Our double-ground mulch is the choice of many top nurseries and mulch distributors. We sell our mulch in bulk tractor-trailer loads at prices that you and your customers appreciate. Our new live-bottom "walking floor" trailers allow efficient unloading at your site. Please call for more information.
Erosion Control
Mulch is great for covering those problem wash-out and erosion areas. It provides a decorative covering while anchoring the loose soil.
Animal Bedding & Barn Use
Use our mulch and chip as a soft bedding for horses and all animal beds. When cleaning stalls, it blends perfectly with animal waste to make an unbeatable organic fertilizer that can be re-used.
Walking Paths
The decorative and functional appeal of natural mulch makes it great for parks, walking paths, or any natural setting. Unlike rock or gravel, it provides a cushion for the feet. It is easy to replenish, and adds an inviting sight to any pathway.
QUESTIONS
Additional Information
How much should I apply?
As a general rule of thumb, you should apply mulch at a depth of 3-4 inches. Use less mulch for heavy, clay soils and more for lighter, sandy soils.
Is mulch detrimental to plant growth?
Using mulch will actually help your plants grow better by inhibiting weed growth and preventing weeds from breaking through the soil. Mulch also keeps the soil surface cool and helps it retain moisture. Another added bonus is the beauty and variety that mulch brings to your landscape. Griffith Lumber separates its mulch because walnut mulch can harm your plants. Use walnut mulch on banks to retard weed growth.
How often is re-mulching required?
Raking the mulch at 4-6 month intervals will rejuvenate the beds and allow additional aeration to plant roots, which is beneficial for plant growth. After about a year (and on a yearly basis thereafter), rake the mulch bed, then top-dress it with 1-2" of new mulch. This provides insulation to the roots of plants for winter protection. During extremely wet seasons, it may be necessary to re-mulch every 6 months.
Do I need to mix "potting soil" with mulch in my flower beds?
Although it is a matter of personal preference, it really isn't necessary. In Southwestern Virginia, as the mulch decomposes and mixes with the "red clay" soil, it creates a highly fertile environment for plant growth. This rich soil gets better as you add more mulch each year.
Is this the same type of mulch as Pine Bark Nuggets or White Wood Chips?
Absolutely not. While different landscape coverings each have their virtues, they have great differences. Our mulch comes from the removed bark on outer layers of White Pine, Oak, Poplar, and other logs. It is then processed through a grinder for a "double ground" consistency. The end result is a semi-fine "shredded" mulch that can be spread with either a pitchfork or shovel.
What is the difference between Oak, Poplar, and Pine mulch?
Oak mulch is darker in color, and provides a rich, deep look to your landscaping. Oak has a higher acid content which is perfect for Azaleas. Poplar mulch is lighter in color (a neutral brown), although it darkens over time, and isn't very acidic. Oak has a stronger "sweet" smell to it when it is wet, but that smell will fade over time. Poplar has little if any odor. Pine mulch has a light color similar to Poplar, with a typical "Pine tree" aroma. Pine mulch has an acidic quality that breaks down over time.
