Refreshing Mulch
- 8 hours ago
- 1 min read
Q:  I can see the soil through my mulch. I believe it’s allowing weeds to come up. Should I be adding fresh mulch this time of year?
A: Organic mulches do eventually break down and need to be refreshed, often before the season is over. Mulch keeps roots cool and retains soil moisture, which is important to keep your plants from getting stressed in the summer heat. It also covers bare ground where weeds might otherwise try to sprout, helping reduce summer weeding in the garden. I recommend keeping a stash of mulch (of your choice) tucked away in an out of the way spot just in case the need arises. (Ed’s Note: Remember that many dryland and rock garden plants prefer well-draining pea gravel mulches, while organic mulches that hold moisture longer suit woody plants and more traditional garden plants.)
Read our Q & As with Keith Funk answering common Colorado gardening questions here. See his website: gardenwiseguy.com and hear him on the Garden Wise Radio Show
