ANR week – Program book will be available Jan. 20 from any MSU Extension county office. They can also be ordered from the MSU Extension Bookstore at www.bookstore.msue.msu.edu or by calling 517-353-3175

Join us for one of the more than 70 programs featured during the 97th Agriculture and Natural Resources Week.

For more information: www.canr.msu.edu/anrweek/ or 517-353-3175

When it comes to mulching your flower beds, what a difference a day makes. One day your beds are looking tired and barren. And then suddenly — tah-dah! — they are transformed. A layer of fresh mulch is to your landscape what a new coat of paint is to your walls. It makes everything pop.

What can you use for mulch? It can be inorganic, like pebbles or shredded tires. Or mulch can be organic, such as pine bark, municipal tree trimmings or even straw or grass clippings. Each choice has advantages and disadvantages. Some decompose quickly, others never. Some are more attractive than others.

All mulches suppress weed germination if spread three to four inches deep. They reduce evaporation of moisture and insulate soil from temperature extremes.

A popular choice in Macomb County, St. Clair County and the Blue Water area is double-shredded, insect-resistant, 100 percent natural cypress bark mulch. After installation, it mats together and won’t wash or fly away. As it gradually breaks down, it adds nutrients to the soil.

How much mulch will you need?

Visualize this: Have you got 27 feet of garden beds that are three feet wide? Or a nine-by-nine-foot area? Either way, you’ll need one cubic yard of mulch to have it spread a recommended four inches deep.

To get that amount from a big-box store, you’d need to schlep 13.5 of those two-cubic-foot bags of mulch. As you can see, those little bags don’t go very far, and besides, it’s a messy chore. Are you up to it?

Why not give Greenlawn the job? We can deliver as few as ??one? cubic yard to as many as five cubic yards in one load. Our experienced workers will quickly and accurately spread the mulch without harming your plantings. Or, you can spread it yourself.

Greenlawn offers cypress mulch in five colors shown in the photo.