Spring is here! It's time to get back out into your garden and yard to enjoy the warm weather, and also to spruce up your flower beds. An important element of a healthy, aesthetically pleasing flower bed is mulch. Ideal Supplies, your local landscape supplies store in Ludlow, KY, has the following tips for choosing and laying out the right mulch for your garden.

Mulch is most commonly made from organic materials like nut shells, shredded wood, or shredded bark. You can buy fresh mulch, or mulch that has been seasoned and is already partially decomposed, which will have a higher nutrient value. Organic mulches help retain moisture, and can attract animals like rabbits and voles. If your garden already has a high level of moisture, you might want to consider an inorganic mulch made of rubber or gravel.

You want to have a layer of about two to three inches of mulch in your garden bed; this will provide adequate ground cover and help prevent weed growth. To further prevent weed growth, before putting down the mulch, remove all weeds and then lay down a layer of newspaper a couple of sheets thick. Newspaper ink is made of soy, and is not toxic to your plants. It's also advisable to keep mulch a few inches away from tree and shrub trunks, and also from the sides of buildings, as this will help avoid issues with rot.

Now is the best time to mulch your flower beds and gardens, so visit Ideal Supplies in Ludlow to check out their selection of mulch and landscape tools, as well as lumber, concrete supplies, and everything else you would expect from your local hardware store. Their website has their Monthly Bargains listed, and if you have questions or need a quote, give Ideal Supplies a call at (859) 491-6666.