Did you know it is important to mulch your garden beds before winter?

Mulching during the fall season does have its benefits. While most people often do this during spring, it does have its purpose in the fall. Some plants may live through the cold winter days but they still need some TLC, especially in case the weather becomes severe. Applying mulch keeps your lawn healthy. During fall, mulching reduces the loss of water in the soil. It also helps suppress the growth of weeds and protects the plants from extreme weather and temperature.

Here are some of the reasons why it pays to mulch during fall.

• Retains soil moisture – Mulching is capable of preserving soil moisture and is perhaps the most popular reason why gardeners use it. It reduces the loss of moisture between 10 to 50 percent and prevents the soil from drying.
• Suppresses weeds – Mulching significantly reduces the growth of weeds and can eventually help eliminate weeds completely. However, you’ll have to make sure that the mulch doesn’t contain any weeds. Otherwise, you might end up growing more! You need to apply a thick layer of mulch over the soil to prevent weeds from germinating. If the mulch isn’t enough or is uneven, the weeds may continue to thrive.
• Regulates soil temperature – Mulching allows the soil to promote the right temperature. Most people overlook this benefit. Mulch provides the soil with the insulation it needs.

During the hot season, it helps keep the soil cool. At the same time, it warms the soil around the plants during the cold winter nights. Hence, mulching plays an important role in managing soil temperature, especially in places that are more prone to rapid and extreme changes.

Mulch prevents the soil from freezing and thawing which causes damage to the roots. Winter mulches are applied during the fall when the plants become dormant after spring.

Types of Mulch for Fall

The most popular types of mulch are wood chips, bark mulch and bark nuggets. Cedar Mulch is a popular choice due to it’s rich colour and great smell. Cedar Mulch will also break down slower than other mulches due to its acidic properties.

Did you know, you can even use gravel or decorative rock to as a mulch? While it won’t provide additional nutrients, gravel will not breakdown over time and has many of the same benefits as using organic mulch.

1. Bark Mulch – This type of mulch has two types: shredded hardwood and softwood bark. The shredded bark is often used around soils surrounding trees as well as perennial plants.
2. Wood Chips – A wood mulch is produced from the waste after the trees are chopped. This type of mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulate the soil temperature, and prevent weeds from forming. We offer dyed red and black wood mulch. The dyes used are natural and non-toxic.
3. Bark Nuggets – Large and medium sized bark chips, not shredded or processed.

Mulching acts as a protective layer for your plants and shrubs. It keeps the soil warm against the snow during winter while also promoting a cool temperature during the hot summer days. Make sure you have the proper landscaping supplies and tools to get through your fall landscape checklist.