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Weed No More, My Lady

© Diana Morgan

For years I resisted using mulch in any form in all of my gardens. I hated the look of plastic, thought organic mulches attracted bugs and stole nutrients from the soil, and knew hay and straw contained weed seeds. My opinions of mulch haven't changed, but with age I've come to believe in its value. All mulches should be used with caution, but the fact that they significantly cut down on those nasty garden chores of weeding and watering is undeniable.

One of the old tried and true standbys, used primarily for ornamental plantings, is bark mulch. Though sold in bags, I recommend purchasing it in bulk from a reputable garden center or landscaper. First off, it's cheaper per cubic yard. Secondly, you are assured of getting a good quality product free of dyes or other additives. Stick with cedar or hemlock. These are less apt to attract unwanted critters like carpenter ants and voles.

To be effective, mulch should be applied at least three inches deep, but don't spread it right up the plant stems. Leave a shallow dish around the plant so that the mulch doesn't smother it. As they decompose, organic mulches really do rob the soil of nutrients, especially nitrogen. Sprinkling a few handfuls of blood meal around on top of the mulch takes care of this problem.

An interesting new alternative to bark mulch is cocoa fiber, reputed to smell like chocolate. I've never tried this type of mulch, but friends who have love it. It's attractive and though rather pricey, isn't supposed to invite insects to take up residence.

There are many "free" types of mulch that can be employed in the landscape. Probably the most commonly used are fallen leaves and pine needles. Since our northern New England soils tend to be naturally acidic, counteract the acidifying effect of these mulches by mixing garden lime or wood ashes into the soil before laying the mulch. These make ideal mulches for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and blueberries.

Another "freebee" can be wood chips. Contractors hired for lot clearance routinely chip most everything and are looking for places to get rid of the chips. A friend of mine in that business dumped a whole truckload off at my house two years ago. I'm still whittling away at the pile!

Wood chips work well in walkways and as mulch around heftier plants like trees and shrubs. It's a good idea to let them weather for a year before using, however. Raw wood chips demolish the nitrogen content of your soil.

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