Adding a thick layer of organic matter to beds and borders in October is a key task for a thriving winter garden, according to a gardening expert. The practice, known as mulching, improves soil, suppresses weeds, and helps retain moisture, setting the garden up for success when spring arrives.
Benefits of mulching in autumn
Applying a 5cm layer of mulch across beds and borders and around the base of plants provides multiple benefits. The nutrient-rich material biodegrades over weeks and months, working into the soil and reaching the roots of plants and shrubs. This keeps beds and borders thriving, and anything planted into them should do very well.
Mulch also acts to suppress weeds, keeping beds and borders tidier. It is wise to clear a bed of weeds before putting mulch down for the first time, as it won’t suppress sizeable weeds but will suffocate young weeds and reduce the spread of weeds.
Moisture retention and tidy finish
During spring and summer, hot weather and reduced rain leave gardeners with the task of regularly watering pots, beds, and borders. A layer of mulch put down in early springtime helps retain moisture. If it rains, moisture seeps into the soil below, where evaporation is slowed by the mulch layer above.
Once beds and borders are mulched, the garden looks very neat and tidy, all set for the wintertime to come. It is the best way to bring the year to a close, knowing all that nutritious organic matter is being worked into the soil by the wintry weather. When spring comes along, it will be the plants that say a big thank you.
