The weather is getting warmer and this usually makes gardening a regular activity. Mulching will make this easier and much more rewarding. Mulching, which involves spreading a layer of material on the ground surrounding your plants and trees, will protect the roots from extremes of heat and cold and even helps control and suppress weeds.

There is organic mulch and inorganic mulch. Organic includes items such as live oak leaves, pine bark, shredded cedar or hardwoods. Inorganic includes plastic or rock. Mulching adds many benefits to your garden. A layer of mulch allows soil to soak up more water and reduces the rate of water loss. Mulch modifies the soil’s temperature and keeps your summer garden soil cooler. A garden with good mulching can produce more vegetables, flowers, fruit and growth than an un-mulched garden, especially in full sunlight areas.

Compost is a great option as mulch. It’s inexpensive and readily available whether you produce your own compost from kitchen or garden waste or purchase any of the excellent already composted material available commercially.

Before you mulch you’ll want to remove weeds. Spread the mulch on fresh soil before or after planting, making sure that the mulch is not crowned around up against the stems or trunk of the plant. Apply at least 2” of mulch. During the year, mulch will settle and rot at the point where it meets the moist soil surface. Replenishing mulch throughout the year, especially fall and spring will prevent weeds, retain moisture and create a presentable appearance in your garden.

Keep following Milberger’s Nursery for all your gardening tips and tricks.