Garden Wood Mulch
Garden Mulch is a protective covering placed on the surface of the soil . It is preferable to use various organic materials for garden mulching, but you can also use plastic film, they are a important tool for the organic gardener.
Applying Mulch is well worth the time and effort it takes as it both conserves moisture in your soil by preventing evaporation and also helps stop weed seed from germinating. It will also protect the soil surface from the damaging effects of heavy rain and compressing . An additional benefit of using organic mulch is that it will encourage the worm population who will generally help improve and maintain a good soil structure.
A variety of materials can be used for mulching , however the texture is very important , it needs to be fairly compact but also allow air and moisture to filter through to the soil surface . Organic Compost , wood chippings, bark, leaf mould, lawn cuttings that have been dried out , well rotted manure and straw will all make good garden mulch. They will give you a variety of finishing’s bark mulch and wood mulch giving a more decorative effect and they will also last longer .
Mulch can be applied up to several inches deep provided it does not completely cover your plants. It should not be heaped up around the base of any plants because as it decomposes it will also rot the plant to. Depending on the type and depth of mulch used it will last from two months to three years and as it breaks up and rots it will improve your soil too.
How to apply garden mulch, the best time is when the soil has warmed up from the winter cold, yet is still moist . You should never mulch when the soil is dry, to cold or to wet as it will simply stay that way, affecting the growing conditions of your plants. The best time to mulch is either after planting or for plants sown in situ when they are a few inches high . Make sure the soil is well watered beforehand but avoid completely saturating it and dig up any existing weeds that might be already growing.
You can also purchase plastic mulches which can be useful in the short term and are ideal for summer crops, like tomatoes and cucumbers. You can either lay the firm over the area you intend to plant and cut cross slits and plant in between, or plant first and then with care roll the film over, making slits and pulling the plants through. Anchor the edges of the film with a covering of soil to secure . Plants can be watered, when required, through the gap between the stem ot the plant and the foil .
Black films are best for preventing weed germination , clear or transparent and white films will help warm up the soil , great for early planting and the latter will also reflect light up onto your crop . Which ever mulch you choose it will aid you to make your organic garden that much more rewarding.
