What even is mulch? To put it simply, it’s anything you can use to cover your garden. It can be wood chips, pine straw, grass clippings, or even gravel. Now most people tend to use organic materials for mulch, but you don’t have to limit yourself to that.
The purpose of mulch is to cover the soil. The purpose can be for weed suppression, to preserve soil moisture levels, or even to make it look pretty. One gardener’s need for mulch might not be the same as another’s. Yet another gardener might not use mulch at all. It’s very much an individual choice, but let’s talk about it.
Most people tend to spread mulch in the spring, once plants are starting to pop up. But realistically, you can spread mulch at any time of the year. Some people refresh it periodically, especially if they are using it for aesthetic reasons in the first place. Like so many things about gardening, it’s up to you to determine the best time.
To spread mulch, you are going to first want to make sure the area is free of weeds. If there are weeds, it’s ok, the mulch will cover them, but they are more likely to pop through and keep growing. Ideally you remove the weeds before putting mulch down. Spread the mulch around your plants about 2-3 inches deep. Don’t get too close to the plants so that water can’t reach them, but get close enough to make it worthwhile. This sounds like crazy advice, I know, but after a few times, you get the feel for it.
Have you ever mulched your garden before? How did it go?