Seattle’s colder weather may make it too early to plant but it isn’t too early to start on all those necessary garden chores. First on the list is the very important spring mulching.
Spring mulching is something every gardener needs to do but, may not know a lot about.
After reading the five simple steps of Spring mulching, read through the following mulching dos and don’ts to insure healthier plants with less pests and disease damage.
SPRING MULCHING DOS
1. Do mulch cool-weather garden plants early in the Spring to help keep their soil cool. Apply thinner layers of mulch into shady areas to keep slugs from taking up residence as they love cool, damp dark places.
2. Do put in some type of edging along the beds to avoid weeds from creeping in after you mulch or build a raised bed to plant in.
3. Do mulch the root zone, or at least much as possible. Always mulch entire beds and extend out as much as six feet from tree bases.
4. Do understand what mulching does - it reduced pests and disease damage, it adds nutrients to the soil, helps control weeds and buffers the plants from seasonal weather changes. Know that all your hard work now will have big pay offs.
5. Do feel free to add a fine layer of bark or other non-organic items on top of the mulched beds if desired for visual effect.
SPRING MULCHING DON'TS
1. Don't mulch flowers gardens too early in the Spring. Flowers prefer warmer soil conditions so it is best to give them a few weeks of sunshine before mulching.
2. Don't pack the mulch tightly up against your trees as it may cause bark decay.
3. Don't remove the mulch to fertilize when needed. Simply fertilize over the mulched area and the nutrients will travel down to the roots when watered.
4. Don't assume that once an area is mulched, it will be weed free and never have to be mulched again. Garden beds need to be mulched every year.
Spring mulching is an important conservation practice; it protects top soil from wind and water erosion, prevents weeds and keeps the soil moister so less water is needed,
By using your compost (and other organic items) mulching adds nutrients into the roots and helps keep the plants pest free. Mulching is a simple chore that yields a full year of benefits.
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