Why it’s SO important to mulch…. especially on a newly installed garden  

What is mulch?

Mulch is any material used to cover bare soil. Bare soil is vulnerable to erosion (wind and water) and so increasing the damage. It is imperative to a healthy garden and is often overlooked or seen as less important than the plants. Plants are the fun part but mulch is the basis for garden health and by association …..plant health!

Mulch can be inorganic (e.g. stone, rock and pebbles) or organic (e.g. wood chip, peach pips or thick compost). I cannot overemphasize how important it is to cover soil…Mother nature does not like bare soil! and she will cover it her own way if its left bare (i.e. with weeds)

“Weeds” are actually fabulous plants in nature as they appear on damaged (or disrupted) soil (their seeds having been dormant in lower levels for years) to de-compact, draw minerals up from lower layers and die on the surface adding organic matter and starting the regeneration process. When we mulch, we are mimicking this process but it is a faster way of starting the process

Why particularly on a newly planted garden? New plants are generally small and will take some time to put on growth. Same for ground covers which will eventually take on the role of mulch, cooling the ground and dropping leaf waste i.e. living mulch. Until plant growth takes over, mulch will do the job

A great job! So many benefits!…

1– Resilient plants

During dry spells, mulch can save plants. It acts as an insulator, keeping the soil cool and moist in summer. Plants do not like hot roots (even succulents who hide in rock crevices and keep their roots cool under rocks) Plants that have their roots in cool soil will be more vigorous and less stressed by heat and so less water needy

2- Keeps Soil Moist for Longer

Water evaporates much more slowly when the soil around the plant is covered with mulch. That means more water for the plant — and less watering for you

3- Becomes Valuable Humus

As organic mulches gradually decay, they increase organic matter and, eventually, humus in the soil. Humus is the holy grail of organic matter, as it is the point at which such materials can no longer decay. Instead, they act like a sponge to hold moisture and nutrients. This is the ideal growing environment for most plant roots and habitat for soil biology

4- A single table spoon of healthy soil contains billions of soil microbes and bacteria

… that require an undisturbed, cool, moist environment in which to thrive and which are essential for healthy soil and in turn healthy plants. Mulch provides an environment in and under which these microbes can thrive and work their magic. It also provides a home for beneficial insects. This is why not further disruption of the soil (unless you are planting) is important. #no-dig gardening

5- Keeps Down Weeds.

Organic mulch keeps the soil beneath it shaded, loose, and moist. It’s less likely for weed seeds to germinate in the dark. Birds and other animals can drop seeds on the surface of mulch or stone but these can be easily taken care of if not wanted

Do you need to continue mulching year after year?

After the initial thick application, it is not necessary to replace unless its necessary. We applied a number of cubes of mulch when renovating our garden but due to leaf drop (free mulch!) and plant growth it became less necessary to replace. Our soil is not disrupted (no regular tilling) and so the humus layer continues to grow and is incorporated naturally by soil biological activity. Weed pressure is now almost non-existent

The best type of mulch?

A very thick compost is best (first picture). It is composed of many different plants that add a diversity of nutrients. It is also heavy enough to form a thick carpet that will not blow around. Bark mulch is fine but it may be from only one source of plant and can be very expensive

So happy gardening and …..Mulch Mulch Mulch!!