Spring Mulching
Mulching in spring prepares my gardens for the growing season and gives them all a finished look.
Mulch helps to prevent weeds and soil erosion, improve moisture retention, and provide insulation. Fortunately I am able to make my own mulch and compost. During the course of the year, my outdoor grounds crew amasses large amounts of organic debris - felled trees, branches, leaves, etc., but none of the material goes to waste. It is either repurposed quickly as milled lumber, or made into mulch and compost. Right now, my outdoor grounds crew is spreading a two to three inch layer of mulch in all the beds around the farm, at the base of various trees, under the blueberry bushes, and throughout my long azalea border.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- Once a year, I call in a tub grinder and crew to grind all the organic matter collected around the farm. It is done in a back field. All the material is put through the grinder not once, but twice.
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- What is created is this weed-free organic matter. And do you know the difference between mulch and compost? Mulch and compost are not the same. They are both used to help the soil, but they have different applications and benefits. Mulch is applied to the top layer of soil to help control weeds, retain moisture, and regulate temperature, whereas compost, which is broken down over time, provides essential nutrients and enriches the soil structure.
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- This mulch contains horse and chicken manure – all usable in the garden beds.
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- Each wheelbarrow is filled and then walked to a designated place in the garden. The crew works efficiently in a production line process. And do you see the steam? The steam is caused by the heat generated by the microorganisms breaking down the organic matter.
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- Here is Adan transporting a wheelbarrow of mulch to the newly expanded section of my pinetum. I just planted some new specimens here last week. It is still a work in progress, but it is looking wonderful so far.
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- Adan uses a hard rake to spread the mulch and break up any clumps.
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- Here is the area with its fresh layer of mulch.
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- The layer should only be about two to four inches thick. Anything less than two inches is too thin and won’t provide any weed prevention. However, more than four or five inches can keep water from getting to the soil.
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- Here, Pasang removes the thick layer of mulch that was used to cover the dahlias and repurposes it to mulch nearby beds.
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- One can see some of the dahlias peeking through the soil. This bed was so well protected during winter.
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- Here is Adan delivering another wheelbarrow full of mulch to the back of the pinetum.
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- He carries and drops them in between the plants. These smaller mounds make it easier to spread.
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- Mulch is also dropped in small amounts and then spread evenly under each tree.
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- But be careful not to use too much. Keep mulch two to three inches deep and away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and decay. Too thick a layer can also suffocate tree root systems.
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- Nearby my blueberry patch is already well dressed with a layer of mulch.
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- Here’s a look in between the bushes. Mulching can also create a microhabitat for beneficial insects, like earthworms, that improve the soil health.
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- Here, clumps of mulch are ready to be spread through the azalea border.
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- Chhiring rakes the mulch as evenly as possible. in addition, it is very important to spread mulch regularly and annually to maintain its effectiveness.
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- With organic mulch, heavy soils are better equipped to hold water and resist compaction – reducing erosion and runoff.
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- By adding good quality mulch, the soil maintains nutrients as it decomposes which helps plants grow stronger and healthier through the year. Don’t forget to mulch your spring gardens.
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