Terry's Gardening Tips
Mulching
Now that it is spring, those of us with a green thumb want to get outside and begin working in our yards and gardens. Some of the first rites of spring are often the purchase of or contracting for an application of new mulch. After the placement of new mulch, the dramatic change to the spring landscape becomes very evident in yards throughout our community.
Proper mulching can be very beneficial to trees and plants by protecting the delicate tree roots from extreme temperature fluctuations, loss of moisture, controlling weed growth and by providing a physical separation between plants and lawn areas. It is especially important to protect your plants and trees from wayward mowers & weed eaters that can quickly and permanently damage the fragile bark on our beautiful landscape plants. The proper amount of mulch consists of a layer of two or possibly up to three inches of mulch. If you have more mulch around your plants than this you have too much mulch and your plants don’t want or need any more! Even if you have the proper thickness of mulch in place, proper placement is also critical. Never let mulch be piled or placed against the base of your trees, shrubs or plants.
It is also important to select the correct type of mulch. While shredded hardwood mulch is the most predominant in the Cincinnati area landscape, there are several alternatives that I find especially attractive and beneficial for plants. Pine needle or pine straw mulch and even various types of peat moss can be wonderful additions to planting beds and readily break down to replenish soil with specific nutrients that are vital for the health of any acid loving trees, plants or shrubs.
While it can be tempting to top dress with new mulch on an annual basis, before you do please check out just how much mulch is already in place. It is only after you complete this often overlooked detail that you can the buy and place mulch accordingly. In some cases you may find that you even have to remove existing mulch if you want to have the attractive appearance found in newly applied hardwood mulch.
As hardwood mulch ages in place it can develop a crusty layer and lose its color. If you have this situation you may want to consider foregoing the application of new mulch until you carefully break up the mulch layers and in doing so you may even find that you have the proper amount of mulch in place and may be able to avoid the expense of purchasing any new mulch and use the money you would have spent on new mulch for other landscaping additions. Remember that adding mulch every year may not always be necessary!
The City of Montgomery’s excellent urban forestry program has been recognized for 11 consecutive years as a “Tree City USA” by providing continuing care and maintenance of our public trees and urban forest. If you have specific questions about trees in your yard or in our community there are a number of resources you may find useful including: local nurseries, the website www.arborday.org
or by calling me at 792-8355.
Until next month, keep doing the great job in making our community clean and attractive by taking the time to keep our urban forest healthy and vibrant.