Spring cleanup and plant replacement have now begun, but it looks as if the bad policy approved a few years ago is going to be continued this year: the beds and plants in Princeton Landing will not be mulched.
This is a terrible mistake. Simply from an aesthetic point of view, mulching enhances the attractiveness of our whole community. If you visit other communities, notice how mulching renews and improves their landscape. Then notice how Princeton Landing looks in comparison.
Mulching is also essential for the health and longevity of our landscape. It protects the big investment we have made (and are making) in plants and maintenance. For example, most ornamental shrubs and trees in our community (especially rhododendrons and azaleas) are shallow rooted. Mulching protects their roots from the hot sun, conserves water and eliminates weeds that compete for water and nutrients. This allows our plants to survive longer and look better.
Mulching controls weeds as well. Look closely at the weeds now sprouting in our beds. They will be well established by summer and our community will look shabby and unkempt. Those who think we save money by not mulching are overlooking the cost of replacing plants and the effect that an unattractive landscape has on the value of our homes.