The Importance of Mulching
Do you have a kitchen garden? If yes, chances are high that you have read/heard the term mulching before, could be at your local garden tools store or from a recent conversation you had with that neighbor whose garden makes yours look like child's play.
According to her, the secret was mulching. But what exactly is mulching?
Well, mulching can simply be defined as the process of covering your garden soil and the base of your crops and trees with layers of various materials referred to as mulches. The different materials you could use include:
Organic mulches such as manure, leaves, sawdust, grass clippings left behind after using a mulching mower on your lawn et cetera
Recycled tire rubber
Plastic mulch which is the most common type of mulching in extensive commercial farming
Decayed materials/compost
Natural or man-made decorative fabrics such as carpets
Rock, pebbles, and gravel
Choosing the right mulch depends on a number of factors like affordability, accessibility, cleanness, effects on soil, durability etc.
So how exactly will mulching benefit my garden? Good question, here's how:
Reduces moisture loss
Since mulches fully cover your garden soil, they prevent evaporation thus retaining moisture. This is very crucial especially during the hot seasons as mulch helps keep your plants moisturized preventing your water bills from skyrocketing.
Curbs weed growth
The mulch forms a sort of protective layer hindering sunlight from reaching potential weeds this in turn limits photosynthesis causing the weeds to die before they are fully grown.
Improves soil fertility
This is because:
Organic residues decompose and release nutrients into the soil.
Mulch prevents soil nutrients from being washed away during heavy rains
Helps prevents some plant diseases
Some mulch materials such as cedar back or any other that have intoxicating fragrances and insect repellent characteristics; help control pests that would otherwise cause plant diseases that can easily spread affecting all your crops. This would cause great losses.
Ensures no tree damages
Mulch offers trees protection from damages that could occur while using 'weed slashers’ or due to the mulching mower 'blight’.
Additionally, mulches also help reduce damages to mulching mowers, give your garden a great look and can improve the soil structure and drainage.
So you see, your neighbor was right after all.
Why don't you give it a try too?
