Use Organic Mulches on Your Garden

Mulch is a layer of material added to the surface of the soil helping to suppress weeds, conserve moisture, prevent erosion, and improve soil structure and fertility.

During winter, mulching protects plants from the dangers of freezing and heaving. It acts as an insulating blanket reducing heat radiation from the soil and protecting the roots of the plants from sudden freezes and thaws in winter. Mulching also lowers the soil temperature in the summer and reduces the rate of evaporation by wind and sun.

Organic mulches can be turned into the soil in fall, adding important organic matter that enhances the health and structure of your garden soil. Some mulches, such as alfalfa hay, contain minerals that work their way into the soil as the mulch decomposes, feeding the roots of plants.

Although some time must be spent applying a good layer of mulch, many tiring and backbreaking hours of weeding will be eliminated during the growing season. Mulched plants will endure long dry periods with little watering because soil beneath the mulch remains cool and damp.

Another advantage of mulching is evident at harvest time when melons, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables that sprawl on the ground can become mildewed or moldy. Mulching prevents this damage by keeping the vegetables clean and dry.

There are many materials that can be used for mulching, both organic and inorganic, and usually they can be obtained for free or for next to nothing, such as

• Alfalfa hay
• Cocoa beans shells
• Corncobs (ground up into small pieces)
• Grass clippings
• Shredded leaves
• Peat moss
• Straw - easy to find and use
• Newspaper or brown paper bags