Mulch Beds

Mulch Beds.

Applying Mulch

Mulching is an important part of landscape gardening. It reduces the need for watering and cuts down on fertilizing by providing an even surface over the garden bed which plants can grow. It will also improve soil health and allows plants to thrive.

When applying mulch, two to three inches will be sufficient, and only cover the base of the plant with no leaf or stem exposed. This will ensure that the plant's roots stay healthy and can absorb water and nutrients.

Do not overapply mulch; this will lead to soil compaction and reduced water absorption. Move the mulch around at time to fluff it up and keep the depth between 2 - 3 inches. Applying mulch regularly when needed, will keep your landscaping looking great all year long. When mulching your flower bed, you want a mulch that’s attractive and adds to the visual appeal to the landscaping. However, mulching your vegetable garden is for more function and does not need to be so attractive.

Fertilizing as Needed

Fertilizers are a necessary part of maintaining a healthy landscape. They help plants thrive by giving them the nutrients they need to fully grow. Apply fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season and then again in the fall. This will ensure that your plants always have the nutrients they need to flourish year-round. Make sure you water your plants regularly to help them absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer.

Tips for Fall Mulching

Don’t let mulch pile up around the trunks of trees or the base of shrubs. Mulch up against a trunk keeps it from drying out, which is an invitation to rot and disease.

Keep mulch away from the sides of you home and out buildings. You don’t want moisture continually working on your foundation.

Mulch your lawn by mowing fallen leaves right back into the yard and leaving them. Mowing shreds the leaves, giving them chance to decompose over winter. This is a wonderful source of nitrogen that grass will thrive on come spring.

In addition to mulching your garden or flower bed, you might want to consider putting down landscape paper before you mulch to help with weed control. I have good luck with cedar mulch about 3” thick and replenish it about every other year. I do not use landscape paper and have minimal weeds to attend to. I also prefer bag mulch to bulk mulch; it is much easier to work with and you know what your getting.

Apply Organically Derived Mulch

Shredded leaves are an excellent source of organic mulch for edible gardens that you can gather and make on your own. It will provide a thick layer of insulation on your garden bed, and over time, will break down by worms and soil microbes, making it into a rich black organic mulch. Organic matter that is added to the soil (anything that was previously alive; leaves, plants, sticks, etc.), breaks down and provides food for the soil microbes to feed on.