The Standard 22 June 2014

12 THE STANDARD STYLE / HOME & GARDEN / GARDENING
June 22 to 28 2014
Beneficial Mulches Assist with
Chemical-Free Garden Health
Mulches are loose coverings or sheets
of material placed on the surface
of cultivated soil. Mulches can be
applied to bare soil or to cover the
surface of compost in containers. Mulching
is generally used to improve the soil around
plants, but it also gives your garden a neat,
tidy appearance and can reduce the amount
of time spent on tasks such as watering and
weeding. Mulches help soil retain moisture in
summer, prevent weeds from growing and protect
the roots of plants in winter. Using mulch
is a good gardening habit but not mandatory;
the benefits, however, make it worth the effort.
A really good job of mulching your garden
usually offers these benefits:
Benefits of Mulching
Long before modern day use as a purely decorative
element, mulch had an established history
of benefitting plants, soil and gardeners.
This is still its highest calling. A good layer of
beneficial mulch can reduce stress on plants
by regulating soil temperatures and reducing
moisture loss and competition from weeds.
In the veggie garden it also helps keep leafy
veggies from getting splashed with dirt each
time it rains. Beneficial mulches do their final
good deed when they break-down and enrich
the soil as they age. All of these benefits mean
the gardener gets healthy soil and plants with
less time spent on watering, weeding, fertilizing…and
washing grit out of salad greens!
Not applying chemical fertilizers and reducing
watering also means fewer chemicals in
the environment and more green in the wallet.
Which Mulch Where
For Landscape Beds: cocoa hulls (not around
dogs!); shredded leaves; dry grass clippings
(fresh, green ones will get matted and stinky);
pine needles; nut shells; rich, dark compost
In Vegetable Garden: straw; shredded leaves;
dry grass clippings; more rich, dark compost.
For walkways & weed suppression in unplanted
sections - not around plants - newspaper
or cardboard (which can be composted at season’s
end)
Around Trees: A layer of mulch may help
very young trees retain moisture in their
small root zone, but established trees really
do not need to be mulched. If you desire a
distance around them to keep the mower or
trimmer away, living groundcover is better. If
you do go with mulch, select from those listed
above and keep it away from trunk!
Save it for Pathways: sawdust, bark chips
and shredded wood are not among the “beneficial
mulches” as they use too much Nitrogen
and tie up soil microorganisms in their breakdown
- depriving plants, and they can become
solid mats that block water penetration. Wood
products can also harbor molds, plant diseases
and chemical contaminants.
When & How to Apply Mulch
Mulch can be added at any time, but autumn
or spring are most typical. An autumn application
in the veggie patch will help with soil
enrichment for spring seedlings. Perennials
that have borderline hardiness in your area
can also benefit from the insulating effects of
a heavier mulch layer atop their roots in late
autumn. In all areas, spring applications will
best help with moisture retention and weed
control, while also enriching soil. An additional
midsummer application, to still producing
vegetable plants, is a good idea if earlier
applications are well-deteriorated.
Beneficial mulches can be applied around
existing plants or placed ahead of time and
planted through. A two inch layer is sufficient
around plants; thicker layers can be
used in unplanted areas. Water the soil well
before placing the mulch and do not mulch up
against stems and trunks, to avoid rot issues.
A wheelbarrow and a shovel, or garden fork,
are often the most helpful tools for getting the
mulch to where it is needed, especially for
large areas. A bucket can also be very handy
for sprinkling mulch around plants and a
hand-size garden fork for spreading in tight
quarters.
Mulches can be split into two main groups;
biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
Biodegradable mulches
These break down gradually to release nutrients
into the soil and help improve its structure.
Layers will need replacing when the material
has fully rotted down. Among the best
materials are leaf mould, garden compost,
spent mushroom compost, wood chippings,
processed conifer bark, well-rotted manure,
straw (for strawberries), spent hops (poisonous
if eaten by dogs) and seaweed.
Non-biodegradable
Non-biodegradable mulches do not boost
the fertility or structure of the soil, but they
do suppress weeds, conserve moisture and
some have the added advantage of looking
decorative. Slate, shingle, pebbles, gravel,
stone chippings and other decorative aggregates
are often used as a mulch across beds.
Crushed CDs, sea shells, tumbled glass and
similar materials can be used on the surface
of containers.
Sheet mulches or woven landscape fabric
are ideal for new beds or borders. After laying,
slits can be made in the fabric, allowing
direct planting through it. The downside is
these mulches do not look very attractive, but
they can be camouflaged with gravel, bark or
others materials. To allow rain and irrigation
water to reach the roots it’s best to choose a
permeable sheet.
-www.mygardeninsider.com
info@exodusandcompany.com
www.exodusandcompany.com
GPS Co-ordinates: 17 47 44 S, 30 57 45 E
YOU COULD BE HOME
RIGHT NOW
AT MADOKERO GARDENS
Apartment Facts
• Sectional title
• Gated & guarded entrance
• Well-designed landscaped common areas
• Active owners association in place
• Part payment towards deposit accepted
Contact
Sam + 263 771 674 679
Hope + 263 783 242 760
EXODUS & COMPANY (PVT.) LTD
real estate developers