Don't Leave Them Bare: 4 Reasons You Should Add Mulch To Your Gardens
Posted on: 2 May 2019
If you've been leaving your gardens with bare soil, you need to start adding a layer of mulch. The addition of mulch is often a step that's overlooked in gardens. Unfortunately, overlooking this step could actually expose your gardens that could be avoided. Here are just four of the reasons your gardens shouldn't go without mulch.
Natural Way to Reduce Weed Growth
If you're constantly outside picking weeds from the soil or you rely on herbicide treatments to control the weeds, it's time to add a layer of mulch to your gardens. Adding a layer of mulch is a natural way to reduce weed growth. That's because the mulch stops weeds and their seeds from getting the sunlight they need to germinate. Not only that, but the mulch suffocates them before they can take root. To stop weeds in their tracks, start adding mulch to your gardens.
Keeps Moisture Closer to the Roots
If you've been watering more but your plants still aren't thriving, it could be due to the fact that the moisture isn't being retained around the roots. Unfortunately, when you water during the spring and summer, the heat causes the water to evaporate before the roots are able to absorb enough of the moisture. As a result, you continue to increase your watering without reaping any of the benefits. However, when you cover your soil with mulch, more of the water is retained in the soil, which means you're able to keep more of the moisture closer to the roots.
Provides Better Soil Insulation
If you deal with severe temperature fluctuations between summer and winter, your soil pays the price. Even if you don't have active flower beds during the winter, you probably have shrubbery and trees in your yard. During the summer, the sun heats up the soil, causing heat-related problems for your landscaping. During the winter, the freezing temperatures continue to cause damage. One of the benefits of mulch is that it provides insulation, which means your soil will stay warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer.
Increases Earthworm Activity
If you have vegetable gardens and flower beds, you need earthworms. Earthworms go to work below the surface, aerating the soil and adding vital nutrients. Unfortunately, if you have poor soil, you're not going to get the earthworm activity you need. Luckily, the addition of mulch improves the moisture content and nutrient value of the soil, which increases earthworm activity in your gardens.
Don't leave your gardens unprotected. Add mulch to your gardens and give them the protection they need throughout the year.
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