Gardening Resources
Mulching
WHEN SHOULD I MULCH?
Mulching should not be performed until June when the ground warms up. If you apply mulch in early spring, you are simply trapping the cold temperatures into the ground. It is also advised to weed the area before applying mulch, do not simply sweep your weeds under a rug of mulch!
HOW TO MULCH SHOULD I APPLY?
Typically 1 to 4 inches of mulch is applied depending on what is being mulched and the type of mulch used. Be careful not to bury perennials too deeply and do not create mulch "volcanoes" around your trees (the latter could encourage stem girdling roots which can spell demise for the tree).
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MULCHING?
Include suppression of weeds, retention of moisture. An added benefit for one year mulches is that as they break down they improve soil structure.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MULCH?
To be truly ecologically friendly, consider selecting mulch that is a bi-product.
One-Year Mulches
Cocoa Bean
Mini Bark
Compost/Humus
Two to Three Year Mulches
Shredded/Chipped Bark
Pine Needle
Lifetime Mulches
Rock
Rubber
Mulch to Avoid
Cypress: manufacturers are defoliating forests to obtain this natural resource.
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