Mulch Madness

One of the best tools an organic gardener has is mulch. It regulates the soil temperate, discourages weeds, adds nutrients to the soil, reduces the spread of disease, and, as an extra bonus, it looks fresh and well-manicured. But, what to use? How much to use? When to apply?

What is Mulch?

What is mulch? It is simply spreading a layer of material, organic material in our case, around the base of plants. Mulch can take many forms, all with their unique properties. Which you use depends on your needs and your part of the country.

What kind of Mulch?

�Bark - a great, all-purpose, organic mulch. Available in shredded or nougats, cypress or pine, bark is a very good weed control and helps keep the ground moist.

�Grass Clippings - widely available. Most gardeners have an endless supply. You must dry clippings before using. They decompose quickly making it necessary to reapply often. Adds nitrogen to the soil.

�Dried Leaves - again, widely available. Supplies nutrients and organic matter to the soil; good in aiding water retention.

�Chopped Straw. Excellent for walkways and vegetable gardens. On the down side, straw may carry weed seeds. Good insulator for fall and winter.

�Newspaper - Unattractive, it needs to be covered with soil or bark mulch. Decomposes rapidly and adds nutrients to the soil.

�Pine Needles - Excellent water penetration; a good insulator; helps acid-loving plants. Very attractive.

�Plastic - The "last resort" mulch: use only where weeds are extreme. Plastic does not decompose - ever, and does not add anything to the soil. The advantage to plastic is that it creates a barrier to prevent all but the most tenacious weeds from reappearing.

�Sawdust and Wood Shavings - Not recommended as they rob the soil of nitrogen as they decompose.

When to Apply Mulch?

Apply mulch, ideally, twice a year: once in the spring when the soil is just warm, but before weeds begin to immerge, and again in the fall after the first frost to protect plants from freezing and thawing throughout the winter.

How to Apply Mulch?

Spread your chosen material to a depth of 2" in flower and vegetable beds exercising care around the base of plants. Leave a space around the base of trees, stems, and plant crowns to ease air circulation and to prevent rot. Use generous amounts of mulch for best results.

So, get out there and enjoy "mulch madness." You'll reap the results in healthier plants and low-maintenance gardening throughout the year.