Keep your plants happier and healthier with these dos and don’ts for using mulch in the garden.
Things grew all right: plenty of weeds!
Here’s how you might avoid common mulching mistakes in your garden.
Credit:Kelli Jo Emanuel / BHG
Kelli Jo Emanuel / BHG
1.
“Mulch mixed with soil causes difficulties in digging and weeding,” Baka explains.
Plus, it can alter nutrient availability and soil structure.
Credit:Kelli Jo Emanuel / BHG
Among your veggies,woody mulches like bark chipsare not the best choice.
“For avegetable garden, cheap compost does a much better job of mulching than expensive decorative woody mulch.
And itfeeds the soil,” says Baka.
Credit:Kelli Jo Emanuel / BHG
Avoid Fresh Mulches
This was my novice mistake.
Don’t spread mulch on or near these plants if you’ve got the option to avoid it.
Or, as noted in the previous tip, some may keep on spreading under your mulch.
Credit:Kelli Jo Emanuel / BHG
One inch of mulch is plenty and more economical."
And don’t pile mulch right up against other plants likeshrubsandperennials, either, says Baka.
Aim for at least a few inches of space between their stems and any mulch.
They can leach into the soil and destroy beneficial microbes."
He recommends usingcompostedleaf mulch instead, which looks more natural and improves the soil.
“Leaf litterprovides overwintering habitat for butterflies and other beneficial insects, too.
Be more Zen in the garden; leave it be.
Nature knows what it’s doing.”
