Stop Weeds In Their Tracks

• 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!