It's Mulching Time Again....Freshen The Garden and Feed Your Plants

 
Nothing makes a gardener's heart flutter like a big pile of dark, manure-rich mulch. (There's a Valentine's gift idea for the gardener in your life....).

Well-composted manure feeds the plants and breaks down over time, along with the bark in the mix,  to improve the soil. In the meantime, a fresh coating of mulch hides winter debris, and makes your garden look as if you've got great soil. Keep adding manure mulch once or twice a year, and that'll be true.

I'm afraid my garden isn't cleaned up enough yet to spread mulch - but my more-on-top-of-it neighbor had this beautiful big steamy pile of mushroom compost delivered last week, and just the thought of it down the alley from me is enough to get me out there cutting down old lily stems and tidying up enough so that I can top my beds off.

Now through February, before the bulbs are up much, is the perfect time to spread mulch. Don't push it up too close to woody stems, or smother the tops of perennials as you work. It's time for water-proof boots, gloves, and recruiting a friend with a strong back to help with the shoveling doesn't hurt either...

If it's mulching time, spring can't be far away....

Comments

[Lauren Hall-Behrens]

Yeah!!! In these warmer days I've been cleaning up a little here and a little there and just yesterday I was dreaming of compost. I'd better call in my order!

[Deirdre]

I'm a big fan of arborist's chips, but i grow mostly woody plants. Perennials probably prefer compost mulch. last June I acquired chickens. I will be using composted chicken bedding for the first time this year. I'm looking forward to seeing what it will do.

[Ann Strong]

Hi Val, I love reading anything you write!
Anyway, we live in Seattle and have a vacation home on Useless Bay. I loved the photo of the mulch that you had posted from your neighbor. Would you mind sharing where your neighbor purchased it? I haven't been able to find anything local that I like so if your neighbor knows it would be a great help to me.
Thank you so much,
Ann Strong