Question: I see lots of mulching articles that talk about spring and winter. In areas that are just wet and dry, is there a good timing for mulching or is it just at any time?
Mulching is important in any garden. Mulch is much more than a pretty covering to highlight all the planting you have done. It also provides a kind of blanket, to keep the soil in tip top shape and reducing stress on whatever you are growing.
Although mulching seems to be a cut and dried technique. Most people plant, water, and mulch. The truth is, if this is your style, you may be missing out on some key aspects of mulching that can improve your garden.
Mulching actually is used for numerous things. It provides an insulating layer to keep moisture in, excessive heat out, and provides weed control. Mulch also keeps a more even temperature in the soil, reducing stress on the plants and allowing them to grow more evenly.
Mulch can however, be detrimental to your garden. Placed too close to plant stems, mulch can offer a home for bugs and rodents to live comfortably and eat your plants. It can also allow dampness to thrive and promote molds and mildews that kill the plant. Mulch, applied too early, can prolong the cold temperatures of winter soil, and keep your plants from growing their best.
