When is the Best Time to Mulch Garden Beds?
16 May 2019 Landscape Supplies
Knowing when the best time is to mulch garden beds will ensure that you are mulching your garden at the time of year that will be most beneficial for plants. At Just Mulch, they understand the importance of mulching your garden at the right time. That is why they offer a range of mulch and soil products backed by advice from our mulching experts.
When is the Best Time to Mulch?
While most gardeners tend to hurry to get their landscape looking its best as soon as the weather turns warm, mulching too early in the spring can slow down the warming process of soil and affect healthy plant growth. Instead, consider waiting until mid- to late spring to put down a thin layer of mulch that seedlings will be able to work their way through.
In some cases, you may also need to add an extra layer of mulch in the summertime in order to help the soil retain moisture, as well as in the winter to help insulate perennials from the cold. If you decide to add an extra layer of mulch to your garden for the wintertime, make sure to pull the mulch back gradually as the weather warms up, so that the new growth underneath will not be affected by a late-season cold snap.
Things to Consider Before Mulching
Before adding mulch to garden beds, make sure to consider the following:
Do You Have the Right Kind of Mulch?
Before buying mulch for your garden, it is important to determine which type of mulch will work best for your specific needs. If you are planning on adding mulch to your garden purely to serve a function, consider adding leaves, grass clippings, or compost to your garden beds. For a more polished looking mulch that will also be extremely functional, consider purchasing bark mulch.
Have Perennials Started to Pop Up?
If you are planning on adding mulch to a garden bed that has perennials, make sure that they have begun to pop up before adding the mulch. Mulching too early could mean unintentionally burying plants that will not be able to break through the mulch.
Has the Area Been Weeded?
Since adding mulch to garden beds can help provide weed control, it is important to ensure that the garden bed has been thoroughly weeded before adding mulch. Failing to do so will allow weeds to continue to grow and spread.
Has it Rained Recently?
Make sure to add mulch to your garden beds after it has recently rained, so that the mulch can do its job of helping the soil retain moisture. If it has not rained recently, water your soil and plants before adding the mulch.
If you would like to learn more about when the best time is to mulch garden beds, or if you are interested in their mulching products, please contact Just Mulch at 236-98-MULCH of by filling out a contact form on their website.
