Very few materials distinguish an exemplary landscape from an average one like a layer of fresh mulch. When installed properly, the visual impact of having a new layer of mulch spread over the planting beds is striking in comparison to an adjacent property which has not been mulched for several years.

Attention to such details as mulching the planting bed areas is an indication of the concern the homeowner or property manager has for the landscape. Although I have spoken in earlier articles of the importance of mulch, I felt this would be a good time to remind ourselves of how the practice of mulching will benefit us and our landscapes.

Many of you may have heard of the process of liming your lawn, but may not be aware of how this process can benefit your lawn. Liming is a method of improving the efficiency of fertilizers applied to your lawn.

One of the indicators used to evaluate the health of your lawn is the soil pH. Soil pH is a measure of whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14. Soil pH levels approaching 1 are very acidic whereas levels approaching 14 are very alkaline. A pH level of 7 indicates the soil is neither acidic nor alkaline and is often referred to as being neutral. Lawns prefer a slightly acidic soil pH in the range of 6 to 7. This is true of many shrubs, although certain acid-loving shrubs such as azaleas and camellias prefer a pH in the 5.0 to 5.5 range.