Are you sick of weeding or watering your garden all the time? Losing plants to hot summers and freezing winters? There may be a simple solution to minimize the impact of these challenges – Mulch!
Cash for Grass Rebate Program: The Waterworks Districts offer customers a rebate for removing water-inefficient grass with drought-tolerant landscaping (read more)
What is Mulch?
Mulch is a material that is spread around a plant or over the soil surface as a protective layer. If you think of soil as a ‘cake,’ the mulch is simply the ‘icing’ or ‘topping’. It provides a huge range of benefits for you and your garden. Mulch comes from a wide variety of organic or inorganic materials. Mulch ranges in cost from free to expensive.
20 Benefits of Using Mulch …
Why do you need mulch anyway? These are some of the reasons to use the ‘marvellous miracle of mulch’ in your garden.
1. Adds organic matter to your soil. This helps make your garden healthier and more resistant to pest and disease. (Saves money on pest control).
2. Provides valuable slow-release nutrients and prevents vitamin loss in plants. (Saves money on fertilisers).
3. Helps retain moisture in the soil for longer. Mulch prevents evaporation by shielding the soil from the sun. It also reduces water run-off during rain or watering. This reduces the amount of water needed. (Saves money).
4. Shades delicate seedlings from too much sun. (A mini umbrella).
5. Reduces time spent watering. (Saves time and money).
“Mulch can retain up to 70% more water in the soil than unmulched soil.”
6. Is a great insulator by regulating soil temperature. Keeps roots consistently cool in summer and warm in winter. (Reduces plant stress).
7. Provides a natural barrier to stop weeds from growing and competing with plants for nutrients. How? By blocking the sunlight. You’ll find it easier to remove the few weeds that do grow. (Saves you time).
8. Increases biological activity in your soil. How? By providing beneficial micro-organisms and earthworms with food.
9. Improves soil conditions. Helps to bind sandy soils and open up clay soils.
10. Saves you time and energy cultivating the soil.
11. Stops nutrients from leaching out of the soil.
12. Protects plants from frost damage by acting as a protective ‘blanket.’
13. Provides a clean surface for produce like fruit and nuts to fall, ready for harvesting.
14. Improves soil drainage and structure as it decomposes.
15. Provides support around plants especially young seedlings.
16. Recycles waste materials. e.g. organic mulches like grass clippings and leaves.
17. Protects plants from mud-splash during watering or rain.
18. Prevents erosion and soil compaction particularly from foot traffic on pathways and play areas.
19. Improves the visual appearance of your garden.
20. Can provide a home for plant-friendly insects.
Celina
Celina
Grace Maintenance Support
Celina