Mulch and Mulching
Submitted by Richard Spitzer
The importance of keeping all soil covered with a thick layer of mulch cannot be over emphasized. Organic mulches should always be used because they will break down and feed the plants. The best organic mulches are: 1. Shredded tree trimmings from your own property. 2. Shredded cedar. 3. Shredded hardwood tree trimmings. 4. Leaves (shredded leaves are better but all leaves have a tendency to blow away.)
Mulch will lower the temperature of the soil in the summertime around 20 degrees, protect the soil from the sun, help retain moisture, and provide a slow feeding of nutrients to the plants as it slowly decomposes. One of the big advantage of mulch which is often overlooked is its ability to release carbon dioxide as it decomposes. This provides the plants an abundance of carbon dioxide and allows the plants pores to stay open a shorter period of time and release less moisture into the atmosphere which helps the plant conserves more moisture.
It is ideal to put down a thin layer of compost before mulching. This provides a constant feeding of the plants for the entire growing season if done early in the spring. A 3- to 6-inch layer of mulch is usually sufficient, but more will need to be added as it decomposes.
When mulching trees make sure the root flare of the tree is exposed and start several inches from the trunk, began with a thin layer and increase the thickness as you work out to the drip line of the tree. NEVER allow mulch to come into contact with the trunk of the tree.