
A nice layer of mulch not only beautifies and accentuates your garden, it also protects the plants. In summer, mulch helps keep down weeds, and holds moisture to reduce watering needs. As it breaks down, nutrients are washed down by the rain into the soil, fertilizing your plants naturally.
A fresh layer of mulch before winter helps insulate near-surface roots, making plants more resilient during the cold weather. Finally, turning that old mulch back into the soil in spring, before applying the new year’s layer, loosens the soil and makes it better able to hold water.
Leaf mulch is ideal for the purpose. It’s easy to handle and has a finer texture than wood mulch. Also, wood mulch can contain artillery spore, which can deface walls and structures nearby. And leaf mulch is generally a local product: many municipalities offer residents their own recycled fall collections at an attractive price. In our own area, both Nether Providence and Swarthmore do this.
A fresh layer of mulch before winter helps insulate near-surface roots, making plants more resilient during the cold weather. Finally, turning that old mulch back into the soil in spring, before applying the new year’s layer, loosens the soil and makes it better able to hold water.
Leaf mulch is ideal for the purpose. It’s easy to handle and has a finer texture than wood mulch. Also, wood mulch can contain artillery spore, which can deface walls and structures nearby. And leaf mulch is generally a local product: many municipalities offer residents their own recycled fall collections at an attractive price. In our own area, both Nether Providence and Swarthmore do this.