Why Does Mulch Fade in the First Season?

You’ve weeded, planted your annuals and bulbs, trimmed and pruned your roses, and laid a layer of mulch only to see it fade gray to nearly white in the first season. Why is it that some mulches can fade so fast? And is there a way to ensure you are purchasing mulch that will last longer than the first few months after purchase?

Benefits of Mulch

Spreading mulch over your garden soil is the best way to save time and energy in your yard. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature in addition to helping the soil hold moisture so you don't have to water as often. It also suppresses weeds. And over time, mulches made from organic materials break down and increase your soil's structure and fertility. ​

Our premium colored mulch is an environmentally safe product that conserves water and suppresses weeds all while protecting your plants from extreme temperatures.

How Mulch is Made?

Colored mulch is made through a multi-step, technical process.
Step 1:​ Recycled and wood waste are passed through grinders at a processing facility, creating smaller wood fibers, or bare mulch. Most of the wood at Wild Valley Farms has been recycled three or four times before we recycle it into beautiful colored mulch.
Step 2:​  
Wood is placed in the kiln for drying. The timber of living trees and freshly felled logs contains a large amount of water.
A wood drying kiln is an enclosed space where air speed, temperature and humidity are controlled. The benefit of kiln drying the timber is that it is dried in a controlled environment, has rigorous testing, and is extremely quick giving a higher quality end product.  Kiln drying offers several benefits with respect to preventing lumber degrade ensuring long lasting and slow decomposition. It’s lighter texture and weight helps prevent soil compaction.  Moreover, kiln dried lumber is stronger (over 2x) and stiffer (nearly 2x) than green lumber so it will stand up to weather exposure. Bugs and insects are also killed during the drying process making for a pest and pathogen free product.
Step 3:
The mulch enters a coloring system, whereby ultra-concentrated, environmentally safe colorant is mixed with water and applied to the wood fibers
Step 4:
The colorant completely encapsulates the wood, ensuring maximum adherence and UV protection​

---

Fading

Natural Organic woods will fade quickly. Weather extremes and sunlight exposure play a part in the discoloration.
Starting with the cleanest and the finest quality wood product ensures the best outcome. Wild Valley Farms premium colored mulch is produced using the cleanest and the finest quality wood chips available. By combining kiln and air dried hardwood and softwood lumbers, and using only the highest quality colorants, we are able to produce a consistent, long lasting, weed and bug free product that is safe for use around your home and garden as well as children and pets.

Types and Colors of Wood Mulch

There are several options available in type and colors of mulch on the market. Most are tailored to give homeowners and business’ the flexibility to tailor the landscaping to individual preference. There is much debate and opinion that varies wildly regarding such.  
Wood mulch is most often categorized by type of wood, size of chips, and coloring.
Common hardwoods and barks used are: Aspen, pine, cedar, cypress, and fur.

Sizes:

Shredded

Shredded hardwood bark knits together tightly aiding in weed prevention. It works well on slopes and won’t wash away as easily as mulch in nugget form. It is easy to spread and slow to break down into the soil, making it a common choice for natural-looking pathways

Chips & Nuggets

Whether you choose large or mini nuggets, this longer-lasting pine bark mulch is a much looser mulch. Better suited for flat areas rather than slopes as the larger nuggets may wash away with rain and wind. This chunkier, more durable form of mulch is best used for playgrounds, paths and walkways.

Colors

Mulch is available in a number of colors — red, black and brown are the most popular. The mulch’s coloring comes from a water-based dye, making it safe for people and their pets. Dyed mulches retain their bold color much longer than traditional, non-dyed mulches.
Dyed mulches are also available triple-ground, making the mulch much finer for easier spreading and a richer appearance.
Our premium colored mulch is made from kiln dried wood which is why it holds it's color for 2 years before fading.

How Much to Use & When to Apply

Wood & bark mulches are inexpensive, help soil moisture and temperature and look good. They break down over time adding more organic matter to your soil improving the soil structure overall. Mulch needs to be reapplied yearly to maintain the optimal depth of 2 to 3 inches. Keep in mind that this depth needs to be reduced around the base of trees and must not cover the root base to prevent rot. It is best to add a layer of mulch in the fall to protect plants in the harsh winter and spruce up look of lawn in fading summer. Spread mulch in early spring to prevent weed growth and enrich the look of your landscape.

Wild Valley Farms premium colored mulch is produced using the cleanest and the finest quality wood chips available. By combining kiln and air dried hardwood and softwood lumbers, and using only the highest quality colorants, we are able to produce a consistent, long lasting, weed and bug free product that is safe for use around your home and garden as well as children and pets.  Wild Valley Farms Mulches will last longer saving you time and money while maintaining the look you want.

buy now