The first key to using straw as mulch is in finding the right types of straw garden mulch.
Good mulch for gardens.
Garden mulch is mostly a good thing and is something i regularly do in my gardens.
The trick for success is to choose the right mulch for your application and then to apply it properly.
Farm associate vice president for landscape operations at the new york botanical garden in general mid to late spring is mulching season that s when the soil is warming up from the freezing temperatures it experienced all winter.
The best depth for a mulch layer is 2 4 inches.
When done properly.
Mulch is the ultimate gardening time saver no matter if you re tending to flower beds or vegetable gardens and while mulching itself may be a pain it reaps many rewards.
Using wood mulch benefits the environment because waste wood goes into the garden instead of a landfill.
The mulch layer also cuts water evaporation to provide ample moisture and you can even water less.
Any deeper and it can be difficult for oxygen to reach the soil which can cause your plants to suffer.
Are wood chips good mulch.
Window garden fiber mulch makes for the perfect soil cover to top off your plants.
Rice straw is very good as it rarely carries weed seeds but wheat straw mulch in gardens is.
Look for a supplier that sells guaranteed weed free straw.
While a concentrated layer of mulch is ideal don t overdo it.
Nutans and bald cypress trees taxodium distichum.
The best depth for a mulch layer is 2 4 inches.
Using cypress garden mulch.
If not applied properly it can cause more harm than good.
To use the dried leaves as mulch spread them at a rate of 3 to 4 inches 7 5 to 10 cm around trees and shrubs and 2 to 3 inches 5 to 7 5 cm over perennial beds.
The layer also prevents soil splash from potted plants while also reducing soil compaction and root rot to keep your green healthy and clean.
The right time to mulch a garden is dependent on what type of plant material you are mulching and the weather conditions says kurt morrell the a p.
Stone is hard to remove so give it a lot of thought before using stone or gravel as a mulch.
It isn t blown around by winds like lightweight mulches.
Find out about the many benefits of wood mulch in this article.
Below i have outlined the main good bad and ugly properties of garden mulch.
Some straw mulches may be mixed with hay which can weed seeds that can sprout in your garden rows.
Cypress garden mulch is an organic mulch made from pond cypress trees taxodium distichum var.
Wood mulch is economical readily available and it s easy to apply and remove.
Gravel and stone work well as mulches in areas that require good drainage or beds with plants that like a little additional heat like mediterranean herb gardens and rain gardens.