By protecting the soil, mulching improves garden health and yield. Follow these simple methods to mulch your garden for healthier plants and less care.
Choose a mulch based on your garden's demands and availability. Plastic and landscaping fabric are common inorganic mulches, while compost, straw, shredded leaves, grass clippings, and bark chips are organic.
1. Choose the Right Mulch
Clean the soil of weeds, dirt, and big clumps before adding mulch. Watering the soil softly helps the mulch adhere and settle.
2. Prepare the Soil Surface
Spread 2-4 inches of mulch evenly over the soil. Piling mulch against plant stems or tree trunks can retain moisture and attract pests and disease.
3. Apply Mulch Evenly
Allow airflow between the mulch layer and plant bases to prevent rotting and disease. Leave several inches around stems and trunks, especially for young or fragile plants.
4. Leave Space Around Plants
Check the mulch layer throughout the growth season and add more as needed to maintain thickness. Organic mulches decay, thus adding new material periodically preserves their benefits.
5. Replenish as Needed
Check for weeds through the mulch layer and eliminate them quickly to avoid competition for nutrients and water. Change the mulch layer as plant growth and weather conditions change.
6. Maintain Mulch Regularly
Also See
2024 Garden Planting Calendar: When to Plant Vegetables