It's Time for Mulching
By Cindy Bellinger
Whew. I got the geraniums in the house just in time, just before the first freeze. Woke to a skim of ice in a few buckets the other morning. That's always the first sign winter is on the way, and this means it's time to mulch the garden.
Though it takes time and involves lugging heavy bags around, I really love spreading mulch. I always find myself talking to the plants and patting them as I go. Mulch is any substance spread throughout bedding areas, under trees and shrubs that keeps plants from drying out.
Kinds of Mulches
Organic mulch is anything that will decompose and help build the soil as it does so.
- bark
- wood chips
- sawdust
- straw
- leaves
- newspaper
…and prepared mulches such as Soil Mender® Mulch.
Because these mulches "melt" into the soil they need to be replenished every year. But don't let mulch build to depths greater than 4 inches.
Inorganic mulch is anything that won't decompose such as stone, gravel and plastic coverings. Xeric plants prefer non-packing mulches such as gravel. This allows water to drain off quickly and not saturate the roots. Many of our native plants don't like to stay wet.
Reasons for Fall Mulching
The fall and winter months can be harsh, either with a lot of wind or no moisture, or both. And this is only one reason to mulch in the fall. Others include--
- reducing erosion from heavy fall rains and melting snow
- providing insulation for the roots during the winter
Maintaining moisture in the soil is really important during the next few months. The tiny root hairs that grow off the main root are responsible for getting water to the plant. To stay alive the root hairs need to stay moist. Even if the main root system survives the winter, the plant will suffer if the root hairs are gone.
How to Mulch
- Remove all weeds
- Thoroughly cover an area with mulch to a uniform depth
- Spread 1 to 2 inches of mulch in flowerbeds
- Spread 2 to 3 inches around shrubs and trees
- For trees, extend a ring of mulch from the trunk to the drip line
Be sure to keep mulch away from the crown of the plants; you don't want them to remain soggy and begin to rot.
Mulching is one fall chore that lets a garden survive winter. One autumn I didn't get around to it and felt guilty all winter. So to alleviate any trace of a bad conscience, just get down on your hands and knees and do it. Your garden will love you.
Read My Little Garden Patch - gardening column by Cindy Bellinger.
