What is Mulch
From LoveToKnow Garden
To answer the question, what is mulch, think of it as a protective blanket for your garden. During the growing season, mulch helps reduce weeds and keeps the soil cool and moist. It can also help control erosion and keep diseases at bay by keeping dirt from splashing up onto plants when it rains. In the winter, mulch helps protect your plants from damage due to freezing and thawing. Mulch makes your garden look good, too.
Mulch Basics
Many different materials make good garden mulches. For weed control and moisture retention, apply at least three inches of mulch. How often mulch needs to be replenished depends on the mulching material. Leaves and shredded wood mulches decompose fairly quickly and need to be replenished frequently. Mulches such as rock and gravel rarely need replenishing.
Mulching your garden will reduce the amount of time you spend weeding, watering, and fighting pests. For help deciding which mulch you should use, see Types of Mulch in addition to this article on what is mulch.
What is Mulch in the Winter Garden?
In climates with cold winters, it’s a good idea to mulch newly planted or less hardy perennials and shrubs over the winter. Good winter mulches include leaves, pine needles, hay, and straw. Apply at least a four-inch layer of mulch over your plants.
It’s important not to apply winter mulch too early. It could smother the plant and encourage disease. Wait to apply mulch until after the ground is frozen. This will insulate plants from the alternating freezing and thawing that occurs over the winter. Extreme temperature changes can push plant roots up and out of the ground, damaging or killing the plant.
Remove winter mulch in the spring when the soil warms up and plants begin active growth.
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Comments
In the next few weeks it will be a great time to get those bulbs in the ground. I think the usual planting time for spring bulbs in Seattle is early October.
Even though the ground doesn't freeze, a light layer of mulch will help protect your new bulbs and perennials from any extremes in temperature. Mulching is also an excellent way to improve the soil. Trees should also be mulched at this time. Mulch will also prevent weeds from getting established and will allow the soil to retain more moisture.
Thanks for the question.
-- Contributed by: Kathleen RobertsWe live in Seattle and the ground doesn't freeze. However I have several hundred dollars worth of newly planted perennials (spring 07) which I would like to protect over the winter, as well as hundreds of bulbs I would like to plant for blooms next spring. I have 2 questions: 1. When should I plant the bulbs? 2. Should I mulch even though our ground doesn't freeze?
thanks
-- Contributed by: KathyThis page has been accessed 5,143 times. This page was last modified 22:57, 24 October 2007.
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