Why do we need to mulch our gardens? This is one of the questions most commonly asked by home gardeners. Mulching has many benefits. Mulch shades the soil and keeps it cooler, which helps retain moisture so we don’t have to water our garden as often. The proper mulch gives body to the soil. As it breaks down, it adds nutrients to make the soil healthier and feed the plant. Mulch also prevents weed germination by blocking a seed’s ability to root in.

In colder climates, mulch insulates the soil. The insulation helps prevent frequent freezing and thawing of the soil, which can put stress on the plant and in some cases kill it.

Mulches can adjust the pH of the soil so it is best to know the pH requirements of the plants to be mulched as well as the pH of the mulch itself. A natural mulch of compost, leaf mold, root mulch and aged bark or chips works best in most situations. When mulching your garden, be sure not to spread it more than 2 or 3 inches deep. This allows for air transfer between the surface roots and the plant. It also prevents the unsightly “mulch volcanoes” which can often be seen at the base of a poorly landscaped tree.

For more information about ecological gardening log onto the Native Landscapes Garden Center website at www.NativeLandscaping.net.

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