Wednesday, February 9, 2011

WHY DO WE MULCH?

Mulching is any material that put on the surface of the soil to conserve water or reduce weeds. Mulch can be organic or inorganic. 
What can you use to mulch?
Mulch can be most anything not harmful to the plants; grass clippings, wood chips, newspapers, pine needles, straw, leaves, bark that is shredded, composted yard waste, and many other items.
An inorganic mulch has no nutients so they add no feeding to your plants.
Organic mulch  adds small amounts of nutrients, primariy nitrogen and minor elements.
Wrong mulching can be dangerous to your plants, especially young trees.  Volcano muching around young trees should be avoided because; smothers roots, reduces water tree gets, brings in insects and other pests, and can cause root rot. Never mulch up to the trunk of trees.
Every 12/18 months re-mulching is necessary to upgrade the beauity of you residence or replace  broken down and soil used mulch.
Be aware that yearly you should turn and fluff up old mulch to prevent caking and fungus.
New plantings get 2 to 3 inches of mulch, re-mulched plants get about 1/2 to 1 inch.
Hope this short mulch essay helps you to be a better gardener.
Spring is near, plan you mulching in advance, happy growing.