Gardening Texoma: Mulching

01.04.06. Gardening Texoma: Did your leaves finally cover your yard this year? Jonathan talks about mulching now to prepare your soil for the spring.

Gardening Tips:
Mulching

What/when do I mulch?
~Mulch on a biannual or at least annual basis.
~By putting mulch down and adding simple dry molasses, we accomplish two very important things:

1. Feeding the microbes which are critical for our soil. They allow us to release nutrients in our waxy clay soil that we could not otherwise have access to. For molasses, I recommend 40 lbs. of dry molasses per thousand square feet in beds and around perimeter of yarn.

2. By mulching your flower beds, you are creating an environment to retain warmth in cold weather and to retain moisture in the heat. Think of it as a sea of life that is occurring between the soil and the mulch. There are many microorganisms working to break down the mulch and leaving trace minerals that the plants can utilize. They also leave air pockets.

~Put a layer 2” to 4” thick on flower beds and around the base of trees if desired, but never cover the root flare. You will cut off oxygen to the tree and create possible disease problems.

What is the best type of mulch?
~Native cedar. It does not have to be trucked in from long distances (adding carbons to the air.) We have plenty in the area, inexpensive, oils that keep the insects in check, breaks down and makes some of the best humic acid. Smells great.

~Hardwood cedar.

~Bulk mulch

~Red died pine bark mulch if the aesthetics are really important to you. About 200 days of color.

~Decomposed granite or lava sand are unconventional, but serve well. They will provide the same benefits and feed at the same time. You can actually walk on it fairly cleanly if you must get into the bed.

If you have new landscaping, but haven’t yet put in your plants, put mulch down to keep down mud splash on side of house and you can walk on it. Remember, though, that everywhere you walk on your flower bed you are compressing and removing air pockets. Walking in beds should be done in controlled manner, ideally on stepping stones.

Can I make my own? How?

Two kinds:

1. Grass clippings and leaves that fall. Use mulching mower to break down into indiscernible pieces and put them back into lawn.

2. Mulch for beds is typically purchased in bulk or bag from a landscaper or nursery. If cost is a factor there are a few alternatives:

~Grass clippings can also be used as mulch on your garden, but should not be used if your lawn has been chemically treated. You don’t want those chemicals in your vegetables.

~Shredded hardwood can be obtained from some tree services. If you see them working in your area, ask. They may be looking for a place to unload the shredded wood.

~Some cities also provide mulch from tree trimmings free to residents.