We are coming to the end of another growing season in Kansas. This year has been nice at the Arboretum. The amount of rain has gone up and down, but overall it has been a good year. The grasses are at their peak now with beautiful plumage and incredible fall colors. As we get our gardens ready for winter, now is a good time to think about how they did this year and what they need for the winter or next year. Many gardens will need a fresh layer of mulch.
As spring arrives and temperatures start to warm, thoughts turn to tidying up yards and gardens after winter An important spring landscape task is deciding whether to mulch and when to apply it. Mulching provides multiple benefits, so the real question isn’t whether to mulch but how to mulch strategically
Why Mulch in Spring?
Early spring before plants emerge is an ideal time to mulch beds and borders, Reasons to mulch in spring include
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Suppresses emerging weeds before they become established,
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Conserves soil moisture as the weather warms.
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Moderates soil temperatures to prevent extreme fluctuations.
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Provides a neat, finished look to garden beds.
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As the mulch breaks down, it improves soil structure and nourishment for plants.
Mulching is beneficial around trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. It’s also helpful for establishing new plantings by regulating moisture and temperature.
When to Apply Spring Mulch
Timing is key when mulching in spring. Here are tips on when to mulch:
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Wait until early spring after frost risk has passed. Mulching too early will delay soil warming.
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Apply before annual weeds germinate. Get it down by early to mid spring depending on your climate.
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Mulch before perennial weeds resume growth. It won’t control established perennials.
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Apply after spring rains to maximize moisture retention.
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Hold off mulching new beds until the soil has warmed fully. Use plastic sheeting instead to heat up the soil.
Gauge soil temperature in beds. Mulch when the soil is consistently above 55-60°F.
Mulching Considerations
Keep these factors in mind when mulching in spring:
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Use 2-3 inch depth around plants, trees, and beds. Grass clippings work for 1 inch.
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Leave space between mulch and plant stems and tree trunks.
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For trees, mulch at least to the drip line or farther.
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Replenish mulch in old beds if less than 2 inches remains.
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Consider sheet mulching new beds to enrich the soil as it breaks down over months.
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Mulch over drip irrigation lines to reduce evaporation and keep soil evenly moist.
Best Organic Mulch Materials
Organic mulches made of plant materials are preferred for improving the soil. Good choices include:
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Wood and bark chips – retain moisture well. Avoid mulched tires.
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Shredded leaves – easy to apply layers to needed depth.
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Straw and hay – often used in vegetable gardens.
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Compost – boosts nutrients but is quickly incorporated into soil.
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Grass clippings – use dried, not fresh clippings to avoid matting.
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Pine needles – help acidify soil.
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Newspaper or cardboard – use under other mulches as weed barrier.
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Cocoa hulls, cottonseed meal – good for certain applications.
Avoid mulches like dyed wood chips that can leach color. Rubber mulch doesn’t enrich the soil.
Mulching the Lawn
Lawns also benefit from mulching, known as “grasscycling.” Rather than bagging clippings after mowing, use a mulching mower so the clippings fall back onto the lawn. The small pieces quickly break down to provide free fertilizer. Just maintain the 1 inch rule so clippings don’t clump or mat.
Mulching Restrictions
Avoid mulching right against tree trunks and the stems or crowns of plants. Pull mulch a few inches away to prevent disease and rodent issues. Also rethink mulching on slopes or in very wet sites where mulch can wash away.
To Mulch or Not to Mulch
Spring mulching provides too many positives to pass up. A basic spring garden chore, mulching suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and improves the soil. Done properly and timed right for your climate, mulching sets up optimal growing conditions for a healthy, vibrant spring landscape.
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What needs to be mulched?
Usually, I work on trees and shrubs because they need a new layer of mulch the most right now. I tend to only mulch perennial beds as they are initially planted. We are now planting new beds denser (with plants closer together) so that the plants below will fill in and beat out the weeds, so we don’t need as much wood chip mulch. Low grasses, wildflowers, and sedges cover the ground in a prairie so weeds don’t grow and cause problems. There is no mulch between the plants. We are working to mimic that layered planting style.
What are the benefits?
Obviously, mulch is good at stabilizing soil temperatures which is important as colder weather sets in. It is also good for holding moisture and reducing weeds around the base of the trees and shrubs. Aesthetically, mulch gives your landscape a finished look that distinguishes it during all seasons of the year. A good thing about mulch that is often forgotten is that it keeps the mower and string trimmer away from the plants’ bases. As the mulch breaks down over time, it releases nutrients into the soil and makes the soil better at holding water.
To Mulch or Not to Mulch- Should I bag my grass?
FAQ
What is the disadvantage of mulching?
Is mulching really necessary?
Is it better to mulch or not mulch your lawn?
What is the argument against mulch?
Is it better to mulch or not to mulch?
To mulch or not to mulch? It shouldn’t even be a question. One of the popular arguments against mulching landscape and garden soils is that mulch delays soil warming and thus retards plant growth. Given that a well-chosen mulch will moderate temperature extremes – both hot and cold – is this an argument supported with evidence?
Can a lawn mower mulch clippings?
You can buy dedicated mulching lawn mowers as well as mowers with mulching plugs or attachments. Mulching mowers are the best mowers for the job because they blow the clippings into the base of the sward. If you don’t have a mulching mower, you can mulch clippings with other types of mower.
Can you use a mulching mower if you don’t have a mower?
Mulching mowers are the best mowers for the job because they blow the clippings into the base of the sward. If you don’t have a mulching mower, you can mulch clippings with other types of mower. However, you’ll need to cut the grass regularly in order to produce clippings which are small enough to leave on the lawn without causing problems.
What is the difference between mulched and unprotected soil?
Unprotected soil mounds show huge daily vacillations; comparative raised structures under mulch are cooler during the day but warmer at night. And bare soil in the shade is colder than any mulched soils. Consistency is important for young tissues, as they have few protections against environmental extremes.
How does mulching work?
Mulching is very simple. Instead of collecting grass clippings in a bag, they’re chopped up into tiny pieces and blown down into the base of the turf where they’re decomposed by the bacteria and micro-organisms which live in the soil. Think about it. Each spring, summer, autumn and winter, you spend good money applying lawn feed.
Why should you mulch your lawn?
As a result, lawns are healthier and greener. Lawn mulching improves the texture and content of the soil, thus reducing diseases and thatch, resulting in a greener, healthier looking lawn. Just a quick note: It’s always best to remove the clippings from the lawn at the beginning and end of the growing season when decomposition is slow. Why Mulch?