Confessions of a Master Gardener: New Extension Service Gardening Encyclopedia

Don't miss this wealth of information, all evidence based and specific to the PNW!

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/

Mulch with Compost for Healthier Plants and Less Weeds

Now (April) is the perfect time to clean up the garden and mulch with two inches of compost based mulch. I much prefer the very fine mulch that has been hot composted. Make sure you get your mulch from a reliable source so that it is weed free - there is nothing worse than introducing weeds to your garden with the mulch. Do not cover emerging perennials (such as Peonies or lilies) that may be waking up in your garden. Be careful not to stand on them either! Some people have fine mulch blown onto the garden. its up to you which you prefer. I like to spread it by hand, as this gives me a chance to reconnect with the garden after a long winter indoors and lets me think about what I want to change this year as I go. Mulching saves water by reducing evaporation, prevents many weeds, and will provide plants with nutrients as it decomposes (if compost based). Note that bark mulch may use nutrients as it decomposes so you may need to add compost before bark mulch or fertilize (organic preferred!). You can even spread an inch of fine mulch onto your lawn (but be sure to spread it - grass that is completely submerged may die). Mulch mulch mulch....

Confessions of a Master Gardener

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

New Extension Service Gardening Encyclopedia

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