For people who want to grow more food with less work. 🌱 This is my weekly newsletter loved by 38,000+ subscribers—here's what one of them had to say: "These are not the regular run-of-the-mill garden-based emails. You actually touch on more unusual tidbits that encourage me to keep growing and learning."
how to mulch your garden the proper way
|
There are a lot of ways you can mulch your garden to keep it healthy, and many things you can use for mulch, but are you using them correctly? Some types of mulch are better in certain areas than others, some are better for spring/summer growing while others are more ideal for overwintering plants. And did you know that compost doesn't actually have to be dug into the soil? In fact, it's best if you just spread it across your garden bed and leave it right on top—as a mulch. With nothing else over it! Another area of confusion (and the most common issue I see among gardeners) is how much to use. Many end up using too much or, on the flip side, using too little. How do you know? Check out my guide on how to mulch effectively, year-round. And because I like to show shortcuts from my own garden, here's what I used last summer on a few of my raised beds: That straw-looking mulch isn't straw at all; it's dried-up pea vines from the previous year's winter pea cover crop. If you've read my post on cover cropping, you know I'm a fan of the "chop and drop" method. Last summer, after I cut back all my pea vines, I left them in place as mulch. As the vines dried up, they turned into a dense mat of straw-like material that was really easy to roll up, store, and use elsewhere in the garden. So, that was an unexpected benefit of our cover crop: two seasons' worth of mulch! (Just something to keep in mind as your pea crops start fading this season—you don't have to compost them right away.) P.S. Are you using mulch the right way? Find out how to mulch effectively (and when you shouldn't). P.P.S. 'Tis the season for cookouts, campouts, and enjoying a meal alfresco! All of those happen to be in my wheelhouse, and I've got a cookbook or two to inspire you this summer. |
Garden Betty
For people who want to grow more food with less work. 🌱 This is my weekly newsletter loved by 38,000+ subscribers—here's what one of them had to say: "These are not the regular run-of-the-mill garden-based emails. You actually touch on more unusual tidbits that encourage me to keep growing and learning."