Even though the summer season has ended, it’s still nice to be able to enjoy the beauty of the green Earth during the spring and early summer. In this article, we’ll discuss the costs associated with mulching your garden.
Mulching Equipment
The first and most essential cost associated with mulching is the equipment required. You’ll need a chute, forks, and a spade to start with. You may also want to consider investing in a wheelbarrow, as this will make the task of mulching much easier. If you live in a rural area and have a lot of space, you may not need a wheelbarrow. In most cases, a pair of sturdy arms are sufficient.
Mulching Material
The second cost associated with mulching is the material needed to carry out the process. In most cases, you’ll need either straw or small pieces of wood to make the most of the benefits associated with mulching. You may want to invest in a hand-tractor to make the task of mulching less back-breaking especially if you’re carrying a lot of material. When selecting the straw or wood pieces for your garden, make sure that they’re either free of seeds or have very few seeds attached to them. The presence of seeds in the straw could cause you a great deal of hassle once the area is infested with bugs. When planting your garden, make sure that the pile of straw or wood is at least a few inches thick and compact to ensure that there’s no space for weeds to grow in between. You may want to consider using an organic mulch such as compost or manure to increase the nutrients in your soil. Manure is often less expensive than buying straw, but it can quickly go bad if not used appropriately so make sure to purchase a large quantity and plan on using it within a year. Organic materials like compost and manure are great for the soil, but they also provide you with some pretty valuable nutrients. If you don’t have the space for a big compost pile, consider using a coffee can or similar size containers to collect all the discarded food stuffs such as vegetable matter, fruit cores, and bread.
Transportation To And From The Farm
The third cost associated with mulching is the cost of transporting the materials to and from the farm. If you live in a rural area and have a lot of space, you may not need to consider this cost as you can simply dump the materials at the side of the road for others to pick up. In most cases, neighbors are more than happy to assist you with a small payment for the favor.
Hauling Equipment
The final cost associated with mulching is the cost of hauling equipment. You’ll need a trailer if you have a lot of space, particularly if you’re going to be using a truck to transport your materials. You may also want to consider investing in a trailer hitch and ball, as this will make the task of mulching much easier. If you don’t have a trailer, you can use a bike trailer or similar equipment to bring in the materials. Make sure that the equipment is in good condition, as any problem and you’ll be spending a lot of effort trying to track down the source of the issue. This could cost you time and money so it’s worth considering buying new equipment if you think that your existing gear is not worth the amount you paid for it.
The above are the basic costs associated with mulching. Of course, there are additional costs such as fuel, repairs, and maintenance. These are all variable costs dependent on how much you use your equipment and what type of conditions you’re faced with. Always consider the pros and the cons before you make a decision that could have a big impact on your wallet.