|
|
Advertisements |
|
The National Trust
Greenfingers
Pond Keeper
Wyevale Garden Centre
Currently up to 50% off Garden
Furniture
Garden Bird
Royal Horticultural Society
LP Cut Flowers
Getting Personal
Personalised Calendar for the Gardener in
your life
|
|
|
|
|
Mulching is the application of organic matter on any exposed soil between plants
and shrubs and should be carried out while the soil is warm and moist.
|
|
Benefits of Mulching |
|
Retaining
moisture |
a good layer
of garden compost or well-rotted mature will keep the soil below cool
and moist and therefore help retain moisture. Never mulch on top of dry
soil as it may stop rainwater soaking in. |
|
Suppressing
weeds |
as weed seeds need light to germinate a layer of mulch
will exclude any light and therefore stop weeds germinating. However,
you must ensure that the ground is weed free before you mulch as it does
not actually stop the weeds from growing. |
|
Improving the
soil |
the mulch will
eventually be dragged down into the soil by worms thereby adding
goodness to the lower levels of the soil. This is sometimes known as the
"no dig" technique for soil improvement. |
|
Advertisement
Books from Amazon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Types of Mulch |
|
Manure |
Fresh manure
releases ammonia which can scorch or kill plants, therefore, should be
kept for six months before being used so that it rots down sufficiently.
Don't keep it too long though as you will find all the nutrients will
have been washed out by the rain. |
|
Leaf Mould |
Leaf Mould is just
well rotted leaves (see our section on
Soil for details on how to make your own leaf mould).
|
|
Mushroom Compost |
Mushroom compost
tends to be alkaline due to the chalk used in the casing material but if
you live in a mushroom growing area it can be a good source of organic
matter. Especially good for acid soils. |
|
Chipped Bark |
Chipped Bark is
good for mulching but composted bark is excellent for soil improvement. |
|
Garden Compost |
Your own garden
compost is rich in nutrients and is one of the best soil improvers there
is. (see our section on Soil for details on how to make your own compost). |
|
Peat |
Peat used to be the
main soil improver for gardeners but in recent years more and more
people are realising the damage peat-extraction is making to wetland
areas so it is best avoided. |
|
Advertisement
Selected Suppliers of Garden Composts, Manure and Mulch |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
