How to Mulch

!±8± How to Mulch

Mulches are spread on to the top of soil to help and aid the growth of the plants and flowers that a planted beneath. Mulch also helps protect the plants from the elements too and acts as a barrier between the air and the soil, trapping moisture and liquid which will help the plants feed and grow. Laying mulch around a plant is also a great way to protect against floor walking and crawling insects that might want to eat the plants. Mulch is also known to improve the quality of the soil which will be great for future generations of plants.

Laying some mulch is like giving the plants a permanent layer of food for them to draw on. It will not supply food to the plant directly, but it will lay the foundations and help generate the right conditions for the plant to thrive. Using a mulch that is made from wood chip is also a great looking addition to any garden and really brings the flower beds to life and makes the colors of the plants and flowers really stand out.

Mulches are made from various organic garden waste materials. Plants, trees, shrubs, or flowers can be shredded or chipped into smaller pieces ready for the mulching process to begin. If it is something from your garden that you have taken out and are going to throw away, consider using it for a mulch or compost before getting rid of it.

Your mulch should only ever be laid in the garden during the winter months as this will allow for the seasonal winter rain and moisture to be secured in the mulch layer. Rain and snow during the winter months will provide an excellent source of moisture, ready for the spring. Also, when laying a mulch down, it is best not to put in onto wet soil. Choose a dry day or when the soil has had enough time to dry out on the surface.

Make sure that your soil is free from any weeds or unwanted plants and then apply the mulch over the soil, moving it right up to the base of each of the plants. You can lay as much as up to 10 centimeters of the mulch and really, 5 centimeters should be a minimum level you should strive for getting down.

Making the mulch itself is very easy. All you will need is some garden waste such as leaves, plants or weeds and a good quality chipper or shredder to process the items. A garden shredder will allow you to chop up the items sufficiently so they can be mushed down into the mulch. If you have any branches or trees that you are getting rid of, consider using an electric wood chipper which will make good work of reducing the branches and twigs into a product that is perfect for adding to your mulch. Once you have the waste product, add some water if it is all dry and leave covered in a warm place. A compost bin is a perfect way to start creating your own mulch. Allow it to rest for several weeks whilst it breaks down further and the mixture will then be ready to apply to your garden.