Mulch is any protective layer over the soil’s surface to prevent erosion, minimize weed pressure and retain moisture. There are plastic and polyester mulches, but we only use wood bark mulch or straw, which breaks down into the soil, adding nutrients rather than plastic pollution. Not to mention, it looks better too.
A layer of mulch 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) thick will reduce water loss by up to 70% and weeding by up to 90%. Ben prefers straw, as it forms a nice mat and breaks down annually, and Mark prefers pine or cedar bark mulch for the look and availability in his area.
One layer often lasts 2 or 3 years. In rural areas, straw can be cheaper and easier to come by, while in cities, it’s often the reverse.
Weed ’em Out
Weeds rob the soil of moisture and nutrients that would otherwise benefit our desirable plants, and they take up the real estate that our food plants need to mature. To prevent weeds, do not till your garden come spring. Add mulch instead. When weeds pop up, nothing works better than a sharp garden hoe for removing unwanted plants. However, perennial weeds like Canada thistle and twitch grass need to be dug out, roots and all.
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Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author, broadcaster and tree advocate
and holds the Order of Canada. His son, Ben, is a fourth-generation
urban gardener and a graduate of the University of Guelph and Dalhousie
University in Halifax. Follow them at markcullen.com, @MarkCullen4
(Twitter) and @markcullengardening (Facebook) and look for their latest book, Escape to Reality.
Follow them at markcullen.com, @MarkCullen4, facebook.com/markcullengardening and biweekly on Global TV’s national morning show, The Morning Show.
