Mulch

Mulch, also known as "top dressing," is a protective covering used to protect plants. Placed around the plant, mulch reduces water lost to evaporation by as much as 30 percent. Mulch also helps plants stay healthy by preventing frozen roots and weed growth.

Mulch can be organic or inorganic, fine or coarse and, in some landscapes, it may even be rocks. Well-chosen mulch not only beautifies and unifies a landscape design, but also discourages weeds and reduces water lost to evaporation.

Other benefits of mulch:

• Helps drainage
• Encourages root development
• Improves soil by making nutrients more available to plants
• Insulates soil and plants in winter months, while cooling the soil and reducing water use during hot summer months
• Decorative

Organic mulch

If possible, consider using organic mulch. Organic mulches are those that used to be living material, such as bark, wood chips, straw, leaves, grass clippings, compost, and pine needles. Nurseries have specially prepared mulches as well. Rocks, a good inorganic and decorative alternative to organic mulch, can get hot and should be shaded with water-efficient plants.

How to mulch

In cool seasons, use a layer of 1 to 3 inches of mulch, depending on your preferences. For best results, use your hands to spread the mulch and avoid layering mulch too thickly as it can affect plant health. Don't allow mulch to make direct contact with the plants, forming a ring about 2 to 3 inches around plants instead. This will help avoid disease problems. When finished, water down the mulch to give it moisture and help it settle into place.

Talk to staff at any local nursery or the experts at the Gardens at the Springs Preserve if you have questions. Done right, mulching will greatly reduce how much trimming or weeding you do in your garden, as well as provide very attractive groundcovering.