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Weeding Tips

Stop Weeds In Their Tracks

Mulching Helps Your Garden Grow

Weeds are aggressive and invasive. They can crowd out desirable plants, dominate space, compete for moisture and nutrients. And, let’s face it, weeds just look bad! To give your beloved plants room to grow and thrive, follow these weeding tips:

 

GET THE WEEDS OUT OF THERE!

The least favorite but most important step to combating weeds is pulling weeds. It may sound redundant but, done properly, this step will help minimize future growth. Most weeds have the power to regenerate readily from left-behind roots – sometimes stronger than before.

PROTECT YOUR WORK WITH MULCH.

Mulch provides soil insulation, helping to retain moisture and prevent erosion. One of its most desirable effects is weed suppression. The good news is, there are many colors, types and textures from which to choose so it is aesthetically pleasing. For the healthiest garden, select organic products like Living Earth’s 100% Aromatic Cedar Mulch (Texas) Pine Bark Mulch (Texas and Nashville), Premium Colored Mulch (which is available in a variety of colors in Texas and Tenn.) and more. Learn more about organic mulch.

 

GARDENER TIPS

  • Lay down your mulch after you have thoroughly weeded.
  • Use a thick enough layer to discourage new weeds from breaking through it. To discourage weeds, we recommend as much as a four-inch layer of mulch. (A two-inch layer is usually enough in shady spots.)
  • Apply mulch methodically. In spring, pull mulch away from perennials and bulbs for faster growth. Wet mulch piled against the stems of flowers and vegetables can cause them to rot.
  • Keep deep mulch pulled back from trunks as well. Mulch piled up against woody stems of shrubs and trees can also cause rot and encourage rodents (such as moles and mice) to nest there.
 

ORGANIC OR INORGANIC MULCH?

  1. If you think about it, organic mulch is the only way to go. It’s made of organic matter. It attracts earthworms, which help compost the material even faster over time.
  2. As your mulch composts, it encourages the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms, adding more organic matter to soil for healthier plants.
  3. Inorganic mulch is a great barrier for weeds, but it doesn’t add important nutrients to your soil.
  4. The advantages touted such as inexpensive price and longevity does not outweigh the facts that inorganic mulch is made of materials such as plastic, stone and rubber, which can heat up the soil and – when they do break down – they aren’t good for the earth.

                                

TIME TO START GARDENING!