In attempts to beautify a garden or flower bed, many hopeful gardeners turn to mulch for assistance, and for good reason as well. Made from organic materials, many of which come from plants themselves, mulch provides a variety of benefits to the soil and any plants that are fortunate enough to hold roots there.
Some benefits of mulch include conservation of water. Mulch helps to retain moisture, reducing the need to continuously water and can be incredibly beneficial in areas where water or rain are not common. In hot and dry weather, like in much of the United States, this water retention provides more consistent hydration for plants. Similarly, mulch also helps regulate soil temperature, helping to keep soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, making it even more important in areas of the United States that experiences large variances in seasonal weather, similar to North Carolina.
To protect their flower beds and gardens, North Carolina Department of Transportation is seeking bids from qualified contractors to furnish and apply mulch as needed at specific locations in Wake and Durham, North Carolina. This is an important job, but especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene this can be especially important for the wildlife and aesthetics of these areas in North Carolina because in addition to all the other benefits of mulch, it also helps to prevent erosion. Many areas affected by the hurricane have uprooted soil that can be dangerous for pedestrians and can make it more difficult to replant plants and therefore negatively impacted local ecosystems. Areas that are unprotected by mulch may also experience a surge of weed growth due to the ease with which weeds would have unrestricted access to sunlight, making it much easier for weeds to germinate and establish roots. Mulch blocks out unnecessary sunlight from reaching the soil surface, reducing the growth of weeds and mitigating erosion. Mulch is also important because as it decomposes overtime, it adds valuable organic matter and nutrients into the soil, helping to repair some of the damages from the hurricane or any other natural or unnatural disaster.
Mulch improves soil structure and water retention, and the use of mulch supports a healthier and more sustainable garden or landscape that can greatly benefit the plants and wildlife in that bed and area. If interested in aiding North Carolina in this endeavor, click here to learn more about this opportunity. The bid closes December 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM EST.
