Mulching: Important step in Gardening

Mulching is one of the important and most beneficial practices done in the garden. Mulch is a protective layer of a material that is spread on top of the soil. Mulches can either be organic -- such as grass clippings, straw, bark chips, and similar materials -- or inorganic -- such as stones, brick chips, and plastic. Both organic and inorganic mulches have numerous benefits.

• Protects the soil from erosion
• Reduces compaction from the impact of heavy rains
• Conserves moisture, reducing the need for frequent waterings
• Maintains a more even soil temperature
• Prevents weed growth by blocking sunlight
  
• Keeps fruits and vegetables clean
• Keeps feet clean, allowing access to garden even when damp
• Provides a "finished" look to the garden

Organic mulches also improve the condition of the soil. As these mulches slowly decompose, they provide organic matter which helps keep the soil loose. This improves root growth, increases the infiltration of water, and also improves the water-holding capacity of the soil. Organic matter is a source of plant nutrients and provides an ideal environment for earthworms and other beneficial soil organisms.

While inorganic mulches have their place in certain landscapes, they lack the soil improving properties of organic mulches. Inorganic mulches may be very difficult to remove if you decide to change your garden plans at a later date. They also form hiding & breeding places for number of insects that are not required in the garden.

Mulching is generally recommended in the beginning of the season to prevent weed growth on the garden beds. A good 3-inch depth will be the best to serve this purpose. Too much of mulch is not good for the plants, because it can cause suffocation to the roots. We like to use the finest and darkest hardwood bark mulch for our garden, which was recommended by our landscaper designer friend. To calculate the amount of mulch needed for your project, you can use the mulch calculator from Lowes http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=calcMulch

Every year some of the mulch gets decomposed. For this reason, it is a good idea to spread about 1-2 inches of mulch every growing season. It is good to order mulch from the local nursery if you have larger areas of garden to mulch. They sell the mulch by yards. 1 yard covers about 100 sq feet if you cover 3 inches deep.

Last year, we did lots of garden projects in our yard. It took roughly 20 yards to cover all the beds :-)