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Spring in the Heartlands

© Sueann Ahrens

Welcome spring!!! Yes, as you read in the title spring is here. What are the signs of spring? Some people in the Heartland of the USA says it's the first robin they see and hear chirping. Others say spring is officially here when the daffodils and tulips pop up through the ground. While others claim spring is here when you want to mow your yard for the first time and the good old lawn mower won't start after setting all winter. One person told me spring is officially here when the wheat fields are totally a gorgeous green color. According to one school age child spring is here when you can wear your shorts to school. My faimly says we know it is officially spring when mom starts the discussion with dad, " We need to start hauling mulch from the city park to our garden." Every year we go through this family ritual of pick- up load after pick- up load of mulch. Last year we got smart. Our friends let us borrow their farm truck and tractor with a loader to load the farm truck up with mulch. We drove the truck to our garden and very easily flipped a lever to unload the mulch. How easy compared to shoveling many pick- up loads of mulch.

Speaking of mulch that brings me to my main topic of discussion. In my opinion mulching is essential whether you are a veteran or beginning gardner, or whether you garden full-time or are a week-end gardner. There are two types of mulches--organic and inorgainc. Mulches do a number of good thngs for the garden which we will discuss in each of the categories of mulch.

We will start with organic mulches which break down in the soil and need regular replacing. When they break down, they provide food for soil microorganisms and worms. This nourishment keeps the soil alive and adds valuable nutrients to it. Organic mulches keeps the soil moist and cool. This type of mulch will stop many weeds from growing, although they cannot stop all weeds. The few weeds that will pop through the mulch are easy to pull because the earth under the mulch is moist. Listed below are the main type of organic mulches that we use in the Heartlands for our gardens.. Cypress shredded bark---attractive and long lasting, but expensive. Corncobs grounded---good source, but acidic. Grass clippings---available at no cost, need to replenish often, do not use clippings sprayed

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