The secret to successful application of organic mulch product is to apply it to just the right depth. You do not want to apply it too thickly or you will prevent water and nutrients from penetrating the mulch layer. Sometimes when you apply mulch too thickly, you can create a “bed” for weed seeds that land on the surface to germinate in. The purpose of applying mulch is to cut back on weeding, not promote more weeds. Before any type of mulch is applied, it is important that all-existing weeds and nuisance grasses are removed completely.
The soil should be moist but not soggy before starting to apply the mulch products. This is the time to install your weed barrier product, either landscape fabric or newspapers. Newspapers make an ideal organic weed barrier for perennial beds and vegetable gardens. A single layer of cardboard also works very well if you do not have newspaper. Layered newspaper shades out many growing weeds by shutting out the light, preventing the germination of weed seeds that were brought to the soil surface during cultivation for seedbed preparation. Newspapers are printed with soy-based inks and are safe for use but be careful not to use heavily coloured sections or glossy magazines as their inks may contain heavy metals or other soil contaminants. You simply place eight to ten full pages of newspaper around the circumference of the base of the desired plant. Make sure to keep the newspaper about an inch away from the trunk or stem of the plant. You can rip and fold the newspaper as desired to cover the entire soil surface.
Once the newspapers are in place apply a layer of any organic mulches of your choice. You want to make this layer of mulch about five to eight centimetres thick. Make sure it is of consistent thickness across the whole area. The newspaper barrier will usually last two growing seasons before it completely biodegrades. You will need to top off with some more mulch over the old mulch as it breaks down over time, usually every couple of years.
When applying mulch around young trees, extend the mulch from near the trunk out at least to the drip line (the ground area below the tree canopy). Established yard trees will benefit from a mulched area extending fifty centimetres to one metre out from the trunk. In all cases, keep the area adjacent to the trunk free of mulch to help prevent damage to the tree trunk from excess moisture, insects and diseases, and voles and other pests. Excessive mulching can also stimulate undesirable shallow rooting. The same rules apply to mulching plants whether annual or perennial plants.
Now that you have your mulch product of choice installed you will soon have more time on your hands for other more desirable garden and yard tasks because your weeding chores will be cut down considerably.
