Fall mulching has some major benefits when done correctly.
Thats when pallets of bagged wood chips and shredded bark jockey with cars for parking spots.
But what about mulching in fall?
Credit:Jason Wilde
Consider the following benefits of mulching in fall and get must-know tips for adding mulch correctly before winter hits.
Protection from temperature extremes.
Fall mulching can helpprotect plants in winterby reducing the chance of frost heaving.
Mulch insulates soil from big temperature swings.
It is best to lay down mulch in fall after plants go dormant.
If that happens, or if theres a lack of insulating snow cover, winter desiccation can occur.
Excess moisture can be detrimental to some plants, especiallythick-leaved succulents, which prefer drier sites.
Also, do not distribute mulch too thickly, as it can prevent moisture and oxygen from reaching roots.
Generally, 2 to 4 inches of mulch is the optimum amount.
Lots of leaves to use.
Small or shredded leavesmake an excellent mulch, especially for vegetable gardens and annual beds.
Use up grass clippings.
Mild fall weather means you’ll likely still be mowing.
Nitrogen-rich and able to break down quickly, they areuseful in vegetable gardensand annual beds in particular.
Do not use grass clippings from recently treated lawns around edibles.
And don’t use clippings from weedy lawns that may introduce weed seeds to your garden beds.
Fewer weeds in spring.
Mulch discourages weeds by blocking sunlight and acting as a physical barrier to germination.
However, it also can discourage desired flower seeds from germinating.
It is uniform in color and texture and improves the soil more than any other mulch.
It can be put down anytime, fall included.
To compensate for this, first put down alayer of compostbefore spreading fresh wood chips.
Or sprinkle some high-nitrogen fertilizer around the area.
