Mulching is a great way to add organic matter back into the soil. It's also an easy and inexpensive way to improve your garden's appearance. But mulching can be tricky if you don't know what you are doing.
Here is everything you need to know before mulching your plants.
First off, you should know your soil type. This will help you determine which mulch works best for you. For instance, clay soils have high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. They tend to hold water well and drain slowly. Sandy soils on the other hand have low mineral content and they hold less water than clay soils.
When you use mulch on your plants, it helps keep them from drying out by holding moisture in the soil. In addition, mulch keeps weeds down because it prevents seeds from germinating. It is important to note that too much mulch can actually harm some plants. For example, too much straw can cause root rot or even kill plants outright. It can also make it difficult for air to reach the roots of your plants. This can lead to plant diseases. To avoid problems with excess mulch, try using one layer of mulch per foot of row.
