Best Mulch for Vegetables

Q:  What kind of mulch is good for the vegetable garden and when should I start mulching?

A:  The when is based on the crop. Cool season crops like lettuce, broccoli, spinach and such are best mulched early while the soil is cool. The mulch will keep the soil from heating up so your cool season crops will produce longer into the season. Warm season crops like tomatoes, corn, squash, beans and such like a warm soil so wait to mulch until the soil has warmed appropriately for these crops.  

For me, the best reasons to mulch is to prevent weeds and conserve water. Mulching can prevent certain pest issues and improve soil structure and fertility, depending on the type of mulch.

Which mulch to use? I prefer organic materials like straw, grass clippings, compost or ground up leaves which break down and enrich the soil.  The inorganic products like plastic or fabric don’t decompose or improve the soil, but they still can offer soil warming and weed prevention benefits.

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Read our Q & As with Keith Funk answering common Colorado gardening questions here. You can also hear him on the Garden Wise Radio Show