Mulch fills many important functions such as weed suppression, reducing wind erosion, and moderating soil temperature. It reduces water evaporation. It can lessen splashing of soil onto your plants.
Organic mulches include compost, straw, grass clippings, wood chips, conifer needles and shredded leaves. Organic mulches break down to provide nutrients. The one you pick will depend upon the cost and what you find appealing in look.
Inorganic mulches include gravel or shredded rubber. You can put layers of newspaper, cardboard, plastic, or landscaping fabric under your mulch to improve weed suppression. The mulch you use can also depend upon the kind of garden you have.
For more information try https://secondbreakfastgardens.com/soil/mulch/
You can use mulch any time of the season but if you do it before the ground has warmed it will take longer for your seeds to germinate. If you are depending on self-seeding flowers such as cosmos or coneflower it may keep those seeds from sprouting.
Pest can hide under the mulch, especially organic mulches. However, they also help break down organic mulches.
A general recommendation for mulch depth is 3 inches. Too much and it can pack down to prevent water and air from reaching the soil. To calculate the amount of mulch you will need, you can use the formula: Square footage x desired depth (in inches) / 324. This will tell you how many cubic feet you need.
Whether you need it more or less might depend on the size of the mulch pieces. More finely ground mulch pieces require less depth. Avoid placing mulch against bushes and trees base trunk bark.
A good resource on the placement of mulch is at https://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/resources/proper-mulching-press-release
Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County answers home and garden questions which can be emailed to homeandgarden@cornell.edu or call 315-736-3394, press 1 and ext. 333. Leave your question, name, and phone number. Questions are answered on weekdays, 8am to 4pm. Also, visit our website at http://cceoneida.com/ or phone 315-736-3394, press 1 and then ext.100.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Mulch benefits your garden in many different ways. Here’s how to best put it to use
Reporting by Patricia Miller / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
