Cottage Garden Design, Part III

The Miracle of Mulch As time goes on and the plants become established and it becomes impractical to dig any more amendments into the soil, you may use organic matter as a top dressing or as a mulch. Maintaining several inches of mulch year round, replenishing it as needed, will do the trick.

Mulching also cuts down tremendously on weeding and can reduce watering needs dramatically. If for no other reason than these last two, mulching is time and effort well spent. But in time, with regular care and mulching, "feeding" with organic matter, your soil will develop into a marvelous substance capable of producing miraculous growth and healthy plants.

More next time ...

The entire Spring 2001 Cottage Garden Design Series: An overview of cottage garden design and using a sense of enclosure in Part I, growing a wide variety of plants and working with nature in Part II, and nurturing the soil in Part III. And then, Follow Your Heart in Part IV.

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