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Can You Over-Mulch?

September 30, 2026March 25, 2021 by The Parke Company

As a proud property owner, you are doing everything you can to help your lawn flourish. Between irrigation systems, careful monitoring, and hiring the perfect landscaping services, decisions like mulching may seem simple. While it may not be as intricate of a process or as overwintering or a hardscape installation, mulching is much more complex than it may seem.

Let’s explore the complexities of mulching so we can assure you don’t over-mulch and hurt the lawn you’ve worked so hard to maintain.

Is it Possible to Over-Mulch?

Over Mulching

Mulch is great for your lawn and garden when it is done correctly. It can fertilize and protect your landscape to create the lush, beautiful backyard or garden you’ve always dreamed of.

Unfortunately, there are a number of different things that can go wrong when you over-mulch. One of the worst effects of over-mulching is the suffocation of plants. Dropping too much mulch around the roots of your trees or plants can cut off the roots’ ability to absorb nutrients and grow.

In addition to stifling the growth of plants, large piles of mulch can also harbor plant disease.

Typically, mulch is a great way for your soil to retain moisture and nourish plants. But when too much mulch is used, the mulch traps moisture without releasing it, which can lead to mildew and rot of your plants’ roots.

Mulching Done Right

Mulching right isn’t easy, but it also isn’t impossible if you’re willing to do a bit of work in your yard. When deciding how much mulch to use, it’s essential to choose the right type of mulch for your yard. There are important decisions to make regarding organic versus inorganic mulch, color, material, and other factors when deciding what will be best for your yard.

Especially if you are a landscaping novice, you may want to contact a landscaping company to help determine which type of mulch will have the greatest impact on your landscape’s health and fit your budget. Once you’ve determined the type of mulch you want to use, determining the amount of mulch to use takes some simple calculation and observation.

Watch out for mulch “volcanoes”, the pyramid shapes that form at the bottom of your tree or plant’s roots. These mulch volcanoes are an indication you’ve over-mulched and are sure to trap moisture that will rot of your plants. You can also check a tree’s roots to double-check that you have not mulched too much. The roots should always be visible. If they aren’t, you’ve probably over-mulched.

The easiest and most efficient way to determine how much mulch is right is by hiring high-quality landscaping services to figure it out for you. Expert professionals like those at The Parke Company can quickly and efficiently determine the right type and amount of mulch for your lawn. By hiring lawn services, you avoid the hassle of repairing damaged plants and save yourself the headache of trying to uncode the formula for the perfect amount of mulch.

Contact The Parke Company Today

Even if your mulching project starts off with good intentions, things can quickly go awry if you don’t know how to do it right. Avoid the hassle and the mess of a project gone sideways by hiring the right landscaping maintenance company to meet your specific needs. Whether it is lawn mowing, leaf removal, or more complex projects like hardscape installation, The Parke Company is the right landscaping company for the job.

Our experienced professionals are ready to develop a landscaping plan that works for your property and your budget. Don’t leave your landscaping maintenance up to chance. Give us a call (615-350-6033) or contact us online today to see how The Parke Company difference can work for you.

Build Your Dream Garden This Spring

September 30, 2026March 8, 2021 by The Parke Company

It’s time for something bright and cheery to lighten everyone’s mood. New interior design like a fresh coat of paint or new throw pillows can be nice, but this season calls for backyard parties and outdoor gatherings galore. Now is the time to start planning and budgeting for everything you want out of your backyard space this spring and summer season.

Fortunately, with The Parke Company, you don’t have to decide between a beautiful patio or a colorful garden. With our experienced technicians, you can install everything from hardscapes to softscapes to bring your garden to life.

At The Parke Company, we’re ready to make your garden dreams come true this spring; here is how.

How to Create Your Dream Garden

Landscape Design

It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to landscape services. How do you prepare soil for new plants? How do you know what will grow best in your region? How do you know what plants are safe around your pets and children?

You could spend your days poring over articles trying to earn your honorary degree in agriculture– or you could talk with one of our expert landscaping professionals.

At The Parke Company, we specialize in more than just clearing spaces and planting flowers. We take the time to get to know your property’s specific needs and work with you to devise the perfect plan for fulfilling your gardening dreams. We can help you determine the best type of garden for your aesthetic preferences, level of commitment, and, most importantly: your budget.

Hardscapes

Not only can beautiful flowers, lawns, and shrubbery help to liven your garden this spring, but hardscapes can also be the key component in bringing your garden dreams to life. If your backyard space has been feeling a little lackluster, hardscapes can help to elevate your garden area with no maintenance required.

Hardscapes are a great way to add interest to the look of your garden without the requirement of frequent maintenance. Installations like water features can be the perfect way to wow guests (even if you don’t want to spend a lot of time tending a garden).

Between pavers, walkways, lighting fixtures, and ponds, hardscape installations are a surefire way to create an oasis in your garden that will last even through the winter. And with the right landscaping company, you’ll never even have to lift a finger.

Contact The Parke Company Today

Most of us have been dreaming about our spring and summer plans all winter long. Guarantee your wish-fulfillment by hiring the right landscaping maintenance company to meet your specific needs. Whether it is lawn mowing, leaf removal, or more complex projects like hardscape installation, The Parke Company is the right landscaping company for the job.

Three Things to Look out for when Checking the Health of your Trees

September 30, 2026February 23, 2021 by The Parke Company

Spring is here, and it is probably a good idea to take stock of the trees and plants you have while you are in the process of adding new ones, but that means knowing what to look for. Trees in particular can be tricky, because even though these majestic plants seem to scrape the sky, there are a host of issues that can turn even the mightiest of oaks into a large firewood supply just waiting for the axe to fall. To help you in your efforts, we at the Parke Company put together a handy little guide of three things to look out for when caring for your trees.

Factors to Consider for Tree Health

Water

According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, it does not look like Nashville or most of middle Tennessee will be facing a drought this summer. That is good news, but that doesn’t mean that gardeners and landscapers can forget about paying attention to the amount of water their trees receive. Too much water can lead to root rot or algae growth near the base of the tree, not something anyone wants to see. Not enough can lead to issues with the the leaves and stems, and an increased weakness to pests and diseases. Getting the water amount correct is essential for new trees, specifically saplings in their first two seasons, as they’re still trying to develop their roots. You want the soil to be moist, so that it dries soon afterwards. One thing to help with this is mulching, a service we at the Parke Company happily provide.

Pests

Insects are a major killer of trees, and one of the most difficult to deal with since they usually require extreme methods, such as removing the infected tree. In Tennessee, one of the most destructive insects is the Southern Pine Beetle, which feasts on, as you might expect, pine trees of all species. Although they tend to be found in large pine forests and federal reserves, due to the sheer number of trees for the little pests to feed on. Southern Pine Beetles are not the only pests that might be an issue for you, as Hardwood Borers, a number of species that bore into trees, are also a concern. These are just some of the insects that you might face, and while you can fight the bugs with chemicals and precisely-timed pheromones and other tricks, it can be daunting, which is why insect control is one of the services we offer at the Parke Company.

Disease

Everything gets sick and dies; that’s just a fact of the universe. It can be difficult to identify diseases in trees for those who don’t have the experience or really know what they are looking for. One surefire sign is discoloration in the leaves and in the twigs or large patches of death and decay. For most diseases, such as the various kinds of wilt and Anthracnose, these will be the most common signs.

During the springtime, when the leaves are still sprouting, is the best time to check to see if your trees have been infected any diseases. And if they have been, do not worry because the Parke Company is only a call away to help with any of your tree health needs.

Cleaning up the streets: Municipal services for you

September 30, 2026February 23, 2021 by The Parke Company

As anyone who lives in Nashville can tell you, the weather is pretty unpredictable. Despite the best efforts of our local meteorologists, trying to plan your day can be difficult when you were expecting a nice sunny day and get a thunderstorm straight out of the book of Revelation. Keeping that in mind, imagine how difficult it must be for cities around the Middle Tennessee area when it comes to dealing with storms and the damage they cause. It’s one of the reasons we at the Parke Company offer municipal services such as cleaning up storm damage, tree removal and taking away bagged leaves and other refuse.

A Mighty Mighty Wind

Storms are pretty impressive, from a non-biased point of view. The amount of raw power and energy they convey can leave even the most steadfast amongst us speechless. A recent storm that ravaged the Middle-Tennessee area left almost 3,000 people without power for hours, and the 2-inch sized-hail did thousands of dollars worth of damage. After a storm, it is very important for things to get back to normal as soon as possible, and when you’re dealing with storms and damage on that kind of scale, it is going to be difficult for many smaller towns and even larger cities, such as Belle Meade and Forest Hills, to mobilize their public works departments to get to all of the damage in time. It’s one of the reasons that one of the most popular services offered here at the Parke Company is cleaning up after storm damage.

Whether that means cleaning up trees blocking roads or other emergency procedures, when the rain starts falling and the thunder starts clashing, you’ll be glad you have our services.

Helping out

Of course not all of our services will be used in such dire services. We at the Parke Company also offer services that will affect the day-to-day life and general well being of your city, including clearing away unwanted brush and taking away unwanted leaves. Both are key to upping the curbside appeal of residential homes, and a nice lawn goes a long way to positively impact a business’s first impression. Of course the benefits go beyond that; in most cases, approved materials are going to get turned into mulch, which then is reintroduced into the ecosystem, helping the next generation grow green and healthy. When combined with our very own mulching services, it makes for a very potent one-two combination that is sure to knock out any landscaping issues you never knew you had.

While we at the Parke Company are well known for the services we provide to private citizens and businesses, our municipal services are pretty handy for cities and smaller towns as well, since we handle a lot of things that you might not be equipped to deal with. Whether it be removing a pesky fallen tree blocking a road, or turning those rotting leaves into helpful mulch, the Parke Company is only a call or email away from turning the next disaster into a non-issue.

3 Landscaping Alternatives to Regular Ol’ Grass

September 30, 2026February 23, 2021 by The Parke Company

Lawn with alternative grass

The American lawn is a proud tradition. There’s nothing prettier and more satisfying than a verdant carpet of healthy turf beneath your bare feet. But if you’ve had a lawn for more than a season, you know how difficult it is to grow perfect grass.

In Nashville, the situation is especially troublesome. Wet, cold winters and scorching summers combine (with a little help from clay-heavy soil) to produce lawns that are less than luscious.

If you’ve been continually frustrated with the quality of your lawn, you should know that there are alternatives for you. Green grass lawns, it turns out, are pretty inconvenient for everyone. Not only that, they require huge amounts of water and fertilizer to support, both depleting the soil and contributing to chemical fertilizer pollution in the water table. What’s more, lawns don’t do anything. If you want your property to earn its keep, or at least be less demanding, the Parke Company has three alternatives for you to consider.

Three Alternatives to Lawns

Gardens.

In nature, an open patch of grass would eventually turn into a forest, given adequate water and sun. Grasses would grow long, putting down roots that pull nutrients from deeper in the soil. This would improve the soil and make it a habitable place for shrub and tree seeds to grow. With time, forestation would be the natural result.

We don’t want our lawns to become overgrown, but preserving them in the juvenile grass state is a constant struggle. Turning your front yard into a garden will eliminate this problem, and also create beauty and food for you to enjoy. You can create flower gardens, herb gardens, fruit tree plots, or vegetable gardens. You don’t have to get rid of all your grass, either. Reducing grass area for gardens will mean far less lawn upkeep, as well as more manageable water and fertilizer requirements.

Non-Living Landscaping Elements.

Who says a lawn has to be covered in finicky, helpless grass? Stones, ponds and other non-living landscaping elements are a classic way to make a maintenance-free yard that’s also beautiful to look at and spend time in.

Combination Living/Non-Living Landscaping.

If you don’t want to get rid of all of your grass, why not opt for ambitious landscaping? The Parke Company can create amazing landscaping out of Perennial shrubs and trees which will require little maintenance, in the midst of stones, ground-cover, or mulch beds.

Combining large areas of the above with smaller patches of grass will make your lawn both impressive and easy to maintain. Landscaping is an investment, but it will save you lots of time and money in the long run (not to mention saving you the trouble of pushing around a lawnmower on a July afternoon).
The Parke Company can create any landscaping idea you can concoct. If you’re tired of unappreciative grass that takes your hard work and doesn’t give anything back, it’s time to replace it with more modern lawn design. If you’ve got questions about how this could work for your Nashville home or property, get in touch with the Parke Company today.