Mulch Ado About Nothing: The Do's and Don't of Mulching

People who love gardening understand that mulch can really help out if you use it the right way. Mulching can be really helpful but it is important to know what to do and what to avoid to get the best results from this gardening method. This guide will show you how to get good at mulching and steer clear of mistakes that many people make.

Things You Should Do When Mulching

1. Find the best mulch for your plants
Some mulch is better than other mulch. Wood chips straw and bark are types of organic mulch that can improve the soil when they break down. Gravel and landscape fabric are good choices for keeping moisture in the soil but they don't provide any nutrients. Learning about different kinds of mulch and what they do can help you pick the right one for your garden.

2. Make sure to use the correct thickness.
The usual thickness for mulch is around 2 to 4 inches. This layer makes it harder for weeds to grow and helps the soil stay cool. If you use too little it might not stop the weeds from growing and if you use too much it could choke your plants. Change things based on the type of mulch you have and what your plants require.

3. Make sure to replace the mulch every year.
Organic mulches decompose as time goes on and this process enriches your soil with nutrients. So you should change your mulch every year to keep it working well. Looking at your garden's mulch once a year will help keep it doing its job of protecting and feeding your plants.

4. Make sure to keep mulch from touching the stems of your plants.
Make sure to leave a gap between the mulch and the stems or trunks of your plants. This method stops stem rot and keeps bugs from using the mulch to get to your plants.

Things You Shouldn't Do When Mulching

1. Stay away from mulch that has been treated with chemicals.
Certain types of mulch have substances in them that might hurt your garden. Choose natural materials that haven't been processed especially when you're growing fruits or vegetables. Chemical additives could seep into the ground and affect how plants grow and stay healthy.

2. Pay attention to the weather and the type of soil in your area.
The weather has a big impact on how well mulching works. In places where it rains a lot, people often have problems with mold or fungus because the mulch holds onto too much water. Take a look at your surroundings and the state of your soil before deciding what kind of mulch to use and how to put it down.

3. Avoid putting fresh wood chips right onto your flower beds.
When fresh wood chips break down they can take nitrogen out of the soil which might leave plants lacking important nutrients. Let the new chips sit and break down for a couple of months before you put them in your flower beds.

4. Make sure to water the area before you put down the mulch.
Mulch is great for keeping moisture in the ground but if you put it on dry it might stop water from getting to the soil. Make sure to give your plants a good drink of water before you put down any mulch. By doing this you keep moisture in the ground which helps your plants stay in a damp and safe setting.

Final thoughts

If you do mulching the right way it can really improve how healthy and productive your garden is. If you pick the right mulch and put it down the right way while following some basic tips you can make sure your garden does well. Keep in mind that talking a lot about mulching can really benefit your garden but if you just talk without doing anything it won't help at all.