some people say they mulch 2 times a year , in the fall and in the spring...
but is it necessary to do it in the fall? and why?
2006-09-27 08:19:58 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
To answer your question it's not necessary to mulch at all. Mulching was a practice performed to help control weeds and retain water. Nowadays most people do it just for aesthetics--they like the look. Consequently most people put it on too heavily because they want to keep "that look".
If you are asking because you are concerned about the cold mulch isn't a very good insulator and in MD it's probably not needed even if it was.
If you're asking about weed and water control, then no, once a year 2-3" is plenty.
If it's to look pretty, that's a decision you'll have to make but you can get it too think--to the point where it actually harms more than helps. Don't ever let it get up to 4". That's too much. If you want the new look and it's going to take you over 4" remove some of the old first.
2006-09-27 08:39:58 · answer #1 · answered by college kid 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Depending on where you are in Maryland will determine the amount of mulch you should use and on what plants. The climate North and East of the Washington DC Metropolitan area is very different from here. The climate in the panhandle and on the Eastern Shore is also different. You should contact your local extension service or a friendly nursery and ask the question. Of course a nice mulch of composted leaves never hurt anything and is great to tune into and enrich the soil next spring.
2006-09-27 09:37:03 · answer #2 · answered by misty 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I lived in DE most of my life, worked in many gardens up there and we never put mulch down in the winter, only in the spring.
You only mulch in the spring to renew the mulch layer that has decomposed or washed away, etc and also to help with weed control. Since weeds up north are germinating in the spring, that is the best time to control them by mulching.
2006-09-28 02:18:13 · answer #3 · answered by plantmd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Do it in the fall. Cut back your roses, etc., and mulch around them. Mulch around your trees...
I mean, think about it. It gets freaking COLD in Maryland (I unfortunately am residing in this hellhole right now...) with snow on the ground for several weeks out of the winter - and mulch will protect the roots of your plants.
2006-09-27 08:30:12 · answer #4 · answered by iguana 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋