Mulching Perennials

Q: Does mulching my perennial beds help my plants survive the winter better?

A: Absolutely – with one exception. Not only does it protect the root system from fluctuating soil temperatures, a 2-3” mulch also helps conserve moisture in the soil for good root growth until the soil freezes. I use the debris from my fall clean up once I’ve run it all through my shredder. A lawn mower will accomplish the same thing. I like it all chopped up because will decompose more quickly during the winter and add much needed organic matter to the soil. 

The exception is beds with dryland plants in gravel mulch. These plants don’t like organic mulches which hold moisture in the winter and rots their crowns.

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