I am often asked if it is necessary to put mulch on your gardens. Is it helpful or harmful to use it?

Mulching your garden in the spring is one of the best ways to give your plants a good start for the season.

Here’s why you should mulch:

1. Mulch is an excellent way to control weeds. Mulch helps to prevent weeds from germinating by stopping sunlight from hitting the soil directly, making it less likely for weed seeds to sprout.

This reduces the need for chemical weed killers and reduces overall maintenance.

2. Mulch helps the soil retain more moisture. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation, keeping the roots of your plants hydrated, especially during dry spells.

It is estimated that a mulched garden requires 30 per cent less additional water than a garden that is not mulched.

3. Mulch helps with soil temperature regulation. It acts as a natural insulator, keeping the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the spring and fall, helping your plants maintain consistent root temperatures.

By keeping the soil warmer in the winter, it is protecting the root systems of less hardy plants.

4. Mulch improves soil structure. Organic mulches break down over time, adding valuable nutrients to the soil and improving its texture, aeration, and drainage.

5. Mulch protects from erosion. Mulch helps reduce soil erosion by preventing heavy rainfall from washing away the soil.

6. Mulch provides aesthetic appeal. It gives your garden a neat, finished look while enhancing the colors of your plants and flowers.

How to mulch your garden in spring

Choose the right mulch: Organic vs. inorganic:

I highly recommend that any mulch you put down be an organic mulch. Options of organic types are wood chips, bark, straw, composted leaves, or compost. Organic mulches improve soil quality over time as they break down.

There are inorganic forms of mulch that are used, but these should only be used for smaller decorative purposes or in low-maintenance areas. Materials like gravel, stone, or rubber are longer-lasting but don’t improve soil quality.

Personally, I would never recommend the use of rubber mulch for obvious reasons. My thinking is to never add anything to the soil that never came from the soil.

Prepare the garden beds:

Clear the area: Remove any weeds, debris, or dead plants from the area where you plan to mulch. This gives your mulch a cleaner foundation to settle into.

Water the soil: Before applying mulch, ensure the soil is moist. If it’s been a dry spell, water the area thoroughly.

Applying the mulch:

Thickness: Aim for about two to four inches of mulch. If it’s too thin, it won’t be effective in blocking weeds or retaining moisture. Too thick, and it can suffocate plants or cause fungal issues.

Keep it away from plant stems: Mulch should be applied around the base of plants, but not piled up directly against their stems or trunks. Keep the mulch two to three finger widths away from the base of the plant. This prevents moisture buildup that could lead to rot or fungal diseases.

If you are applying mulch two to three inches thick, you should not need to use landscape fabric between the soil and mulch.

Maintaining the mulch:

Replenish as needed: Over time, mulch will break down and may need to be replenished, especially if it’s organic. Keep an eye on the mulch levels and add more as it decomposes.

Extra tips for mulching success:

Timing: A great time to put down mulch is in the spring after the soil has warmed up, but before the hot summer heat sets in. Early to mid-spring is the ideal time for most areas.

Avoid over-mulching: Too much mulch can make the soil too acidic and inhibit water penetration. It can also promote mold growth.

Monitor moisture: Even with mulch, be sure to keep an eye on your plants and check if they need additional watering.

Mulching is a simple, low-cost garden technique that has big benefits for your plants and garden’s overall health. Happy gardening!

Joanne Young is a Niagara-on-the-Lake garden expert and coach. See her website at joanneyoung.ca

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Horticultural Society is pleased to be hosting a series of Saturday morning gardening classes, available to the public. They will be facilitated by Joanne Young on Saturday mornings, and they will run until May 31 at the NOTL Community Centre. Join us for the classes that interest you. For all the seminar details and to pre-register for the classes, visit notlhortsociety.com/classes.