Reduce Mowing Improve Plant Health
Reduce time spent mowing while improving the health of trees and shrubs with a few minor changes in your landscape design.
Eliminate tight corners and narrow spaces that make it difficult to maneuver the mower. Edge the beds to keep grass out and eliminate hand trimming. Rent an edger or use a shovel to create a V shaped trench around the garden. Fill with mulch to create a nice edge for the mower wheel to travel upon.
Create large mulch or planting beds around trees and shrubs. Incorporate individual plants into larger planting beds. Mow the grass inside the bed short, cover with newspaper or cardboard and a layer of woodchips.
Now you just need to mow around one bed instead of several small plantings. Plus, you eliminate the risk of damaging the trunks with the mower or weed whips. And these permanent plantings will thrive once the competition from the grass is removed.
A bit more information: Grass competes with newly planted trees and shrubs for water and nutrients. Expanding the mulch garden can increase the health and vigor of these new landscape additions.
Related

Audio

Audio

Audio
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
Feb. 7-9, 2025
PBS Wisconsin's
Garden & Green Living Expo
Madison, WI
Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here
Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI
Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants
Register here
Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden
Register here
Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants
Register here
March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs
Register here
March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here
March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation
Register here
March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A
Register here
April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here
April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More