Nowadays, sustainable practices are a common part of every industry. The raised awareness towards focusing on sustainability is growing along with its implementation.

In the world of real estate and home gardening, sustainable landscaping is more than just a trend. It's a way to make your property look good while taking care of the environment.

One of the simplest yet most effective tools in sustainable landscaping is incorporating mulch in your gardening practice. Also, while helping plants grow and saving water, mulch can actually boost your property value. In fact, the landscape is approximately 15% of your home value.

So, how can you enhance your garden to enhance your property value? How much does the type of mulch affect the look of your garden?

If you are interested in finding an answer to these questions, let’s dive in and see how sustainable landscaping practices can take your property to the next level.

What is Mulch and Why Use It?

Mulch is a layer of mixed materials, including wood chips, leaves, straw, or compost that gardeners spread over the soil. Mulch is used to keep the soil moist by reducing evaporation, meaning that plants and flowers don’t need to be watered that frequently. It also reduces weed growth, preventing them from getting the sunlight and taking all the nutrients from your plants. Mulch is used for improving soil quality as well, by adding valuable organic matter to the soil due to breakage in time.

For thriving gardens, mulch is essential because it attracts little bugs, bees, butterflies and birds which will make your garden plants and flowers stand out, grow and be lush.

What Are the Reasons Mulch is Going to Increase Your Property Value?

Mulch isn't just going to keep your garden healthy, but it’s a smart investment that can increase your property value.

Here's why adding mulch to your garden is a game-changer for anyone looking to boost their property value:

1.   Boosting Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, especially in real estate. A mulched garden looks tidy and cared for, which can significantly boost your property value. Considering the relatively low cost of mulching materials, investing in mulch is a good investment because it adds up 15% to your home resale value.

2.   Water Conservation and Savings

Mulch helps soil retain moisture, reducing the need for watering. This is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that nearly 30% of residential water use in the United States goes to watering lawns and gardens. By using mulch you're making your property more sustainable, providing affordability and also making your home more attractive for eco-friendly buyers. In some areas, water-efficient landscaping can increase property value by 7% to 14%.

3.   Soil Health Means Plant Health

Healthy soil leads to healthy plants because mulch decomposes over time, adding organic matter to the soil, improving it by making it more nutritious for plants and flowers. In addition, a garden with plants and trees is more appealing, directly impacting property valuation. In fact, a Texas A&M University study found that landscaping with healthy trees could increase property value by up to 10%.

4.   Reducing Maintenance Costs

Properties that require less maintenance and don’t require much effort attract both buyers and renters. In this case, mulch reduces the need for watering, weeding, and applying fertilizers. As a result, the garden is easier to take care of and also less expensive to maintain. A great selling point is a mulched beautiful garden that doesn’t require high maintenance.

5.   The Environmental Edge

Using mulch from recycled or sustainable sources can increase your property green credentials. A survey by the National Association of Home Builders showed that 90% of the respondents valued energy efficiency, sustainable landscaping being a part of their interests. By marketing your property as environmentally friendly, you can attract a broader range of buyers or renters.

Making the Most of Mulch in Your Landscaping

To make the most out of the mulch in your landscaping and boost your property value, here is what you should focus on:

- Choose the Right Mulch: Always go for organic mulches like wood chips or compost. To find the right mulch for your garden you can do an online “mulch for sale near me” search and choose organic mulch that will best fit your budget. They not only look great, but also improve soil health as they decompose.

 - Apply Mulch Properly: A layer about 2 to 4 inches thick is ideal. Too much can suffocate plants, and too little won't retain enough moisture or suppress weeds effectively. Every year refresh the mulch to keep it looking good and also retain the benefits it offers.

- Highlight the Benefits: When selling or renting your property, make sure to highlight the sustainable landscaping practices you've implemented, including mulching. Also mention the fact that sustainable landscaping leads to water conservation and similar further savings.

Conclusion

Using mulch in your garden doesn’t only make it more beautiful, it also helps the environment and can make your property more valuable. Mulch saves water, keeps your plants healthy, and reduces the high maintenance of your garden. This all makes your property more appealing to environmentally conscious people who might want to buy or rent it.