Organic gardeners tend to go on about mulch. But if you're just starting out, these charts will help you to choose between the different types available.
Purpose |
Plants |
When |
Material |
To conserve moisture and suppress annual weeds |
Roses, shrubs, soft fruit, asparagus, globe artichokes |
April/May before the ground dries out |
Peat, leafmould, compost, lawn mowings |
Suppression of perennial weeds |
All types |
Anytime |
Newspaper, plastic |
Frost protection |
Asparagus, globe artichoke, many shrubs, some flowers (dahlias) |
Autumn |
Straw, rough leafmould, bracken, green manure crop |
Protecting muddy paths, especially in raised bed growing |
All types |
Anytime |
Straw, sawdust, bark chippings |
©2004 Frann Leach. All rights reserved.