Mulch is any material used to cover, protect and enhance the soil around growing plants. Having a good layer of mulch on the garden provides a multitude of benefits for growing vegetation.
Mulching reduces watering needs by preventing evaporation of water from the soil surface. It saves time by providing a weed-preventing barrier, and it can even reduce disease pressure by stopping bacteria in the soil from splashing up on lower leaves during rain or watering.
When it comes to effective mulches, gardeners have plenty of options. One relatively affordable option is straw, laid in a thick 2- to 3-inch layer. Make sure the straw is free of weed and grass seeds or it may cause more problems than solutions.
For an even cheaper option, try mulching with leaves or grass clippings. These types of organic mulches will decompose and improve the quality of the garden soil over time.
Other biodegradable mulch options include bark, sawdust, woodchips and compost. The mulch layer will need to be reapplied once the material has decomposed and the soil becomes exposed.
At the end of the growing season, applying a final layer of organic mulch will keep garden beds protected from winter erosion and ready to plant the following spring.
Mulch can be made of synthetic materials, too. Many growers use plastic to provide a barrier over the soil. Although plastic won’t decompose, it can be an ultra-effective weed barrier that doesn’t need replaced during the growing season.
Don’t forget to mulch perennials, too – a layer of mulch benefits fruit trees, perennial flower beds, berries and even landscape trees.
By Candace DeLong, WVU Extension Agent – Hampshire County