by Viviana Victoriano

Created on: July 11, 2008   Last Updated: November 13, 2011

Mulching is one of those activities that can reward the gardener with great benefits when it is done the right way, but can be fatal for your garden if not used properly.

If you mulch the right way, you will be able to control weeds, maintain soil moisture, stabilize the soil temperature during the different seasons and, when using organic mulch, promote the growth of microorganisms that are beneficial for the nutritional value of the soil.

The Dos

Some of the Do list items include the preparation before we add the actual mulch:

• Get rid of those weeds - Weeds won't miraculously disappear by means of the power of mulch. Before you mulch, you need to remove any weeds or grass that are invading your flower beds or vegetable garden.

• Loosen the soil - A compact soil doesn't let water and nutrients penetrate. Therefore, you have to till the existing mulch into the soil. If you don't have a tiller, you can use a gardening fork to loosen up the soil around your plants.

• Improve your soil - This is the time to improve the quality and texture of your soil by adding peat, compost, manure or a time-released fertilizer. Work them into the soil to make it lighter and richer in nutrients.

• Landscape decisions - Remove any plant that is dead or doesn't appeal to you anymore and install new plants.

• Timing - Even though mulch can be applied any time of the year, the best time to mulch is late spring. If you mulch too early in the spring, the soil will not warm up sufficiently and this will affect plant growth.

• Depth - How much mulch you apply depends on the type of material used and the drainage and moisture holding capacity of the soil. As a general rule, a 2-4 inch layer is adequate to prevent most weeds and seeds to germinate and to allow proper drainage and moisture retention.

• Material - Overall, organic mulches are a better choice and you should favor them. Organic mulches include various chipped or shredded woods, hay, straw, grass clippings, shredded leaves, pine needles or compost. They are more beneficial because they break down in the soil, releasing important nutrients and organic matter. Just remember that if you are using wood chips they have to be properly composted before applying. The chips decompose slowly and, as this happens, microorganisms use nutrients from the soil (mainly nitrogen) leaving less amounts for plant growth.

Inorganic mulches can be useful and beneficial

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