I guess this question has been puzzling a lot of minds … Why and when use garden mulch? What for do we need it? Let me explain everything to you my dears. Garden mulch is a special protective layer that most gardeners put on top of the soil. Everything is clear here, mulch acts like a barrier, since it protects your soil from direct sun beams as well sharp frost. However, everything is not that easy, mulch using can be both good news and bad.
It goes without saying that in summer when sun’s rays are especially strong, thanks to mulch soil stays cool and plant roots are healthy and OK, but slugs, earwigs, and other insects adore cool, moist, dark places. So you’d better don’t put too much mulch and think of a thin layer of it.
The ground warms are not very active in the spring, anyway you would like the ground to stay cold until spring, but because of mulch your perennials can bloom late.
When you mulch you can water your plants not very often, thus you will save time, money, and a precious resource. But heavy rains can make the ground soggy.
Raindrops don’t hit the soil surface, so your plants will be cleaner and safer.
Some advantages of mulching:
- Your garden looks and smells fantastic;
- Suppresses weeds;
- Protects soil from treading and erosion;
- Reduces water loss;
- Keeps plant roots cool in summer;
- Retains warmth in the soil during winter months.
