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Why should I mulch my garden?
Mulch reduces soil water losses, suppresses weeds, and protects against temperature extremes, especially in places where it snows. Mulch also feeds soil biology as it decomposes, helping to create healthy, living soil. Healthy soil means healthy plants!
What are the two main reasons we use mulch in the garden?
Mulch is used to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, keep the soil cool, prevent frost heaving in winter, and make the garden bed look more attractive.
What happens if you don’t mulch?
What happens if you don’t replace old mulch? Eventually all mulch will decompose and no longer provide the benefits it was designed for. Organic mulches provide nutrients to your soil, while retaining moisture and protecting the soil.
Why do you use organic mulch in your garden?
It is used to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, keep the soil cool, and make the garden bed look more attractive. Organic mulches also help improve the soil’s fertility, as they decompose. Organic mulch will decompose and have to be replaced, but in the process, it will also improve your soil’s fertility and its organic content.
What does mulch do to keep the soil cool?
Mulch helps keep moisture in the soil. It helps cool the soil when it’s hot outside and it helps to insulate the soil against extreme cold. Mulch can prevent frost. And of course, mulch looks nice.
What’s the best way to put mulch on plants?
Set plants in place, water them well, then spread newspaper and top it with mulch. Mulches that also retains moisture (like wood chips) can slow soil warming. In spring, pull mulch away from perennials and bulbs for faster growth.
What does bark mulch do to the soil?
Bark mulch is a type of organic mulch. It will break down naturally over time, releasing added minerals and nutrients to the soil. This also means that the mulch has to be replaced periodically because it does break down over time. However, every time you add more mulch you’re adding more to the soil to enrich it.