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Mulching Article

1/13/2014

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How much mulch does a flower garden need?

Gardeners should strive to keep one to four inches of mulch on their flowerbeds. More than four inches of mulch can cause problems like fungal diseases. Whether you use one or four inches depends on the size of the mulch particles: use less mulch if you’re using sawdust; use more mulch if you’re using straw. Apply these calculations to estimate how much mulch to buy.

How often should I mulch my flowering plants?

Don’t be the gardener who applies mulch one time, and never does again. Small mulch particles break down quickly in hot or wet weather, and you may need to add mulch more than once in the growing season to maintain a functional layer. Large mulch particles, like pine nugget bark, break down slowly and may only need refreshing once every two to three years.

When should I apply mulch?

You can apply mulch whenever the soil is bare. In the spring, mulch suppresses weeds. In thesummer, plants appreciate protection from scorching temperatures. In the fall, gardeners take advantage of the bounty of fallen leaves to renew their mulches and amend the soil. Even the winter garden needs mulch, as it prevents frost heaving of plants.

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