Add some interest with mulch.
Most people in business aren’t too focused on interior decorating, let alone exterior landscaping. But in the same way that a first impression at a meeting is critical to a good business reputation, the surrounding landscape your business finds itself in can be the difference between clients and customers feeling like they’re entering a successful enterprise, or visiting a business on the verge of closure. Image is everything.
But, as with interior design, exterior business landscaping has a lot of considerations and nuances. One of those considerations is the usage of mulch in landscaping beds. Landscaping beds are different from grassy areas. These are the parts of the landscape that may contain plants or trees, but rather than simply leave exposed, boring soil, a healthy bed of organic material is scattered to add more color.
You have a choice between Pine Straw or Hardwood mulch, but which one is better for you? Let’s find out.
Pine Straw
One thing pine straw has going for it is cost. Compared to hardwood mulch, it can often be a cheaper option. For people that are concerned about environmental friendliness, it’s also a little bit friendlier than hardwood, as it doesn’t require any grinding or shredding machines in order to make it.
On the aesthetic side, pine straw has a comparatively brighter, more vibrant overall color. For some, this may be the deciding factor if they are looking for something with richer colors. Another advantage that pine straw has going for it is that its natural color stays. During rain, some landscape beddings can bleed a little of their color once they get wet. This doesn’t happen with pine straw.
Hardwood Mulch
Hardwood mulch is definitely for people that are looking for something a little more understated in their color choices. Not everyone wants landscapes to be bright and vibrant, and for those people that want a more subdued, less flashy look, hardwood may be the solution.
Hardwood mulch is often a bit more expensive than pine straw, but is has much better moisture absorption, which is good for your landscape bed in general. It’s also a somewhat heavier bedding, which means that it stays in place better and doesn’t get as scattered as pine straw, which can cause a bit of a mess in high wind conditions. It also acts as a better deterrent against weeds, allowing less intrusion from unwanted plants than pine straw. So while mulch is more expensive, it does have some performance value to justify that higher price tag.
Ultimately, your final choice on pine straw or hardwood mulch is going to depend on what your budget is and, more importantly, where your taste in landscaping lies. If you need a little more help with business landscaping advice, the staff here at Carolina Landscaping Services is happy to consult with you, answer your questions, and help you narrow down exactly what you need to make your business surroundings look their best.
