All About Mulch and Mulching

If you are into gardening, you have probably heard of the word mulch or mulching a lot. We use mulch even when we are preparing our raised garden beds for planting. But do you know what it really is?

Mulch is a layer of material that you spread over the surface of garden beds. It can be organic, like bark chips or straw, or inorganic, like stones or gravel. Organic mulches are best because they improve the soil as they break down. Inorganic mulches last longer since they either don't decompose or they take a long time to decompose. We recommend using organic mulches since some inorganic mulches don't work as well as the organic ones.

The main purpose of mulching is to suppress weeds. When you lay a thick layer of mulch, it blocks out the light that weeds need to grow. Weeds compete with plants for water, nutrients, and space. By preventing weeds from growing, mulch allows your plants to thrive. It also prevents weed seeds in the soil from germinating.  Mulch is also helpful in the retaining moisture in your soil and and protecting the roots of your crops.

Mulching is a great way to keep your garden looking neat and tidy. A layer of mulch can give your garden beds a finished look. It can also make it easier to maintain your garden beds. You won’t have to weed as often, and you can just pull up any weeds that do manage to grow.

So, the next time you are getting your garden ready for planting, don’t forget the mulch!