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Mulching
Mulching can conserve moisture and discourage weeds, thereby
reducing watering and weeding chores later in the season.
Inorganic mulches, such as pea gravel, river stone and landscape
fabric, don't have to be applied regularly because they do not
decompose. This is a boon for busy gardeners. Not all of these
materials suit all gardens, however. Landscape fabric on its
own is unattractive, for example, and stones will eventually
sink into the earth unless they are set on top of a barrier
such as landscape fabric.
Many gardeners use some form of organic mulch. It breaks down
– either fairly quickly, like compost, or over several seasons,
like pine bark
nuggets – and adds to soil structure and health.
Purchased mulch can be expensive, since a surprisingly large
volume is required to achieve the recommended coverage depth
of two to four inches.
Less expensive options include shredded leaves, wood shavings,
chopped straw or grass clippings lightened with, for example,
shredded leaves to keep them from compacting. Alternatively,
try layers of newspaper covered with a thin layer of decorative
mulch. This is a particularly effective method to apply to paths.
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