Mulch is marvelous for flower beds.
A top quality mulch is ideal for nourishing plants by adding organic material to the soil. Mulch helps to seal life-giving moisture into the flower garden, so plants’ roots may soak it in to grow healthy and strong. Mulch also prevents evaporation, keeping the ground soft and rich in the flower bed.
Gardeners may protect germinating seeds and young plant seedlings from the elements by covering them with soft mulch.
In addition, a generous layer of mulch in the flower bed will deter weeds from growing and aggressively spreading in the garden.
Horticulturalists in many climatic zones also appreciate mulch for the protection it provides during cold winter months, as frequent freezing and thawing may prove destructive to perennial flowers and other garden plants. A good mulching can seal and guard flowers and other plants from winter’s harm.
What are the secrets to great garden mulching?
Prepare flower beds before mulching.
Even the finest mulch can’t work its wonders, unless the flower garden has been properly prepared first. Enriched quality soil is essential to a successful flower bed.
The flower bed must be weeded carefully before mulching. Stray grasses and weeds must be removed by the roots. Only then may the garden be properly tilled and cultivated.
If possible, a layer of garden canvas, newspapers or another organic barrier may be placed in the flower bed to prevent the intrusion of weeds, lawn grass and other unwanted vegetation. Suitable soil may be placed on top of this barrier.
Prepare and plant flowers before mulching.
Before adding mulch to the flower bed, the flowers must be tended. Perennial flowers should be dead-headed, removing old spent blossoms. Retired leaves and other dried-out or dead plant matter must be removed. Often, the gardener may be surprised to uncover new vegetation peeking through in the flower bed, once the decaying plant parts have been discarded.
Seeds may be sown, and seedlings planted, at this point. A gentle watering is ideal next, to seal the flower garden before mulching.
Choose a high-quality mulch.
Natural, organic mulch is actually best for plants. Savvy horticulturalists generally select cedar mulch, wood chips, shredded bark or even composted materials for mulching flower beds.
Garden supply centers offer wide selections of mulching materials. In many communities, wood mulches may be obtained at a discount or even free, as these may be created from chipped Christmas trees and other discarded woods.
Of course, some gardeners do prefer gravel or painted wood chips. These materials are certainly acceptable around potted plants, but they really are not suitable for a healthy in-ground flower bed.
Mulch gently.
Too many hasty gardeners simply dump mulch into the flower bed and spread it around roughly. This is destructive and dangerous to plants.
Instead, the gardener must gently fold the mulch around all plantings. Using gloved hands, the horticulturalist may heap mulch carefully into the garden.
Some perennials, such as irises and peonies, require portions of their bases to see sunlight, if these plants are to bloom. The gardener must avoid completely covering the peony’s eyes or the irises rhizomes.
Water flower beds thoroughly after mulching.
Watering a mulched garden is a little tricky. Simple sprinkling is not enough. The water must actually penetrate the mulch to benefit the roots of the plants in the flower bed.
Be sure to place a hose under the mulch, or even bury a soaker hose in the mulch in your flower bed.
Behold the well-tended garden.
Once the mulching process has been completed, and the stray mulch swept into the flowerbeds, the gardener may step back and enjoy the polished look of the well-managed garden.
To keep the garden healthy and optimally attractive, an informed gardener will usually mulch a flower bed generously in the spring, but supplement with additional mulch in the fall.
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By: Linda Ann Nickerson
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