Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/28/2017

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• Improve soil structure by adding organic matter to the soil as the mulch decomposes; increase earthworm activity which is valuable for soil aeration and decomposition of future organic matter. • Reduce or eliminate weeds, making hand -removal more efficient, thus reducing the need for chemical control. • Reduce soil -borne disease caused by water splashing onto lower plant foliage. • Reduce chance of injury to trees by keeping weed whips, lawn mowers and other garden tools away from tree trunks and roots. • Provide a way for you to recycle your woody yard wastes as a garden resource. • Reduce mud and weeds in areas of heavy foot traffic and utility. Some examples include the area around firewood piles, paths, children's play areas, pet areas, trash can storage and tool sheds. Wood chips can easily be turned into the sot or a lawn area if the use of that area changes. • Create an environmentally -friendly and attractive finish to your landscape. • Cover unsightly areas where grass and groundcovers will not grow such as under fences. • Eliminate need for tilling, lessens root injury, and reduce bruising of fruits and vegetables. TYPES OF MULCHES There is a large selection of mulches available commercially and locally to homeowners, which range from expensive to free of charge. Commercially, exotic mulches such as cypress, coco beans, cedar, and redwood chips can be purchased at garden centers and home improvement stores, and will certainly give you benefits listed above. However, in sustainable landscapes, we are striving to reuse local and nearby materials. Therefore, it is recommended that one take advantage of the municipal wood chip piles located in our area. These mulches are made of ground or chipped trees that have fall- en in storms, been removed by the city or homeowners, or are the result of pruning by utility companies. They are easily accessible and usually free of charge to citizens. Wood Chips: Wood chips are made by propelling pieces of logs and larger branches through a chipper, reducing them to chips of varying sizes. For mulch, chips 1 to 4 inches in diameter will give you the best results. They are less likely to be washed or blown away, and the large pieces will slow the decomposition rate, making replacement of mulch less frequent. Commercially, some chips are screened to give buyers a consistent size which creates a more finished and formal look to your landscape. You can produce your own wood chips if you own a wood chipper. Be sure to follow all safety precautions and wear safety goggles when using a chipper. Sometimes you may have green leaves and smaller branches in your finished product if you have been chipping branches that were actively growing. While this may affect the appear- ance of your mulch, it will ultimately add more organic matter into your soil. MULCH 7