Why Mulch?
Mulch is an organic or non organic layer over the soil which keeps down weed growth and conserves moisture in the soil.
It has an aesthetic benefit as well as a practical one, as an attractive chunky pine bark mulch for example can enhance the appearance of a client's garden.
Mulches are essential for conserving water, developing soil structure, slowing weed growth and maintaining cool soil temperatures in garden beds.
If you use an organic mulch like composted bark you need to apply it at least three inches thick.
The mulch if organic must be well rotted or it will take the nitrogen out of the soil.
Never use a white wood chip as mulch as this will take all the nitrogen out and it will be a very long time before it releases it back into the soil.
A good mulch can be; Manure, bark, compost to name a few.
A mulch sheet called Myprex can also be used on its own or with bark on top.
This sheeting stops the weeds coming up but importantly it lets rain through.
A problem with it however is that it will not let plants that spread, spread! A good mulch (if used without a mulch sheet) will also work its way down into the soil and improve it over time.
If you use a myprex sheeting or non-organic mulch like shingle, it makes it hard to improve the soil without removing the mulch first.
Organic mulches on garden beds will slowly decompose and it will need to be replaced every year or so.
As mulch breaks down it improves soil structure, breaks down sticky clays, increases the soil's ability to hold nutrients and water, and improves the aeration of soils for plant roots.
In garden beds where compost has been used for a few years, you will notice excellent plant growth and a large number of earthworms.
Never use a plastic sheet as rain will not get through, you will not be able to improve the soil and it will go sour and fail to support plant life.
Whatever mulch you use, ensure before it goes down the ground is moist, not frozen or waterlogged.
This is very important.
Mulching a customer's garden bed is a good way of earning both income and your client's trust.
The improvement in overall growth and appearance will be startling - and at a reasonable client cost.
It has an aesthetic benefit as well as a practical one, as an attractive chunky pine bark mulch for example can enhance the appearance of a client's garden.
Mulches are essential for conserving water, developing soil structure, slowing weed growth and maintaining cool soil temperatures in garden beds.
If you use an organic mulch like composted bark you need to apply it at least three inches thick.
The mulch if organic must be well rotted or it will take the nitrogen out of the soil.
Never use a white wood chip as mulch as this will take all the nitrogen out and it will be a very long time before it releases it back into the soil.
A good mulch can be; Manure, bark, compost to name a few.
A mulch sheet called Myprex can also be used on its own or with bark on top.
This sheeting stops the weeds coming up but importantly it lets rain through.
A problem with it however is that it will not let plants that spread, spread! A good mulch (if used without a mulch sheet) will also work its way down into the soil and improve it over time.
If you use a myprex sheeting or non-organic mulch like shingle, it makes it hard to improve the soil without removing the mulch first.
Organic mulches on garden beds will slowly decompose and it will need to be replaced every year or so.
As mulch breaks down it improves soil structure, breaks down sticky clays, increases the soil's ability to hold nutrients and water, and improves the aeration of soils for plant roots.
In garden beds where compost has been used for a few years, you will notice excellent plant growth and a large number of earthworms.
Never use a plastic sheet as rain will not get through, you will not be able to improve the soil and it will go sour and fail to support plant life.
Whatever mulch you use, ensure before it goes down the ground is moist, not frozen or waterlogged.
This is very important.
Mulching a customer's garden bed is a good way of earning both income and your client's trust.
The improvement in overall growth and appearance will be startling - and at a reasonable client cost.
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