Mulching Rules!

It's the time of year to add moisture, life and nutrients to your garden while keeping the weeds down. Mulching is your best answer.
Mulch protects the soil from sunbaking and crust formation, which prevents water from soaking in. This organic blanket holds moisture in the soil for plant use and keeps soil temperature cool in hot weather and warm in winter.

Other benefits of organic mulch:

• Increases root zone


• Stops erosion


• Controls weeds


• Eliminates cultivating


• Protects plants from mud splash


• Increases number and activity of beneficial earthworms and nitrogen fixing microorganisms


• Contains growth-promoting hormones


• Releases nutrients slowly


• Gives soil good tilth--easy to work and till, wet or dry


• Recycles waste products

The choice of mulch should be based on such factors as availability, cost, function and appearance. Some organic mulches are straw, shredded leaves, grass clippings, cocoa bean hulls and bark chips. The type determines the depth it's applied--usually two to four inches deep.

--Julie Ferraro, Acres USA,
January 2001