Water Conservation

With the weather beginning to cool down, now is the time to start preservation plans on your garden. Mulching is a super simple and powerful way to help your garden thrive while saving water!

Here’s why mulching is a game-changer:

Conserves Soil Moisture:

Mulch keeps the soil from drying out, which means you don’t need to water your garden as often. Less watering = less water waste!
Tip: Apply 5-10 cm of mulch around your plants before the first frost to lock in moisture.

Suppresses Weeds:

Mulch acts like a blanket for your soil, stopping weeds from growing. Fewer weeds mean less competition for water and nutrients, and less work for you!
Tip: Pull or cut any overgrown weeds before mulching. This ensures that the weeds don’t sneak through and start sprouting.

Adds Nutrients to the Soil:

As mulch breaks down, it naturally adds nutrients back into the soil, making your plants healthier and stronger. Healthy plants = healthier garden, which needs less water to thrive!

Maintains Soil Temperature:

Mulch keeps your soil cool during warm days and warm during cool nights. This helps your plants stay comfortable, reducing the stress on them (reducing the need for extra watering!).

Protects Your Plants from Frost:

A good layer of mulch helps protect your plants roots from frost as temperatures drop. Healthy roots mean healthier plants that are better at using water effectively.

Prevents Soil Erosion:

Mulch helps prevent soil erosion caused by heavy rain. This keeps your soil and the precious water it holds in place, reducing runoff and water waste.

 

How to Mulch:

  •  Before the Frost: Apply mulch before the first frost hits so your plants can stay warm and well-watered.
  • The Right Amount: Aim for 5-10 cm of mulch. Too little won't help, too much can block air and water from reaching your plants.
  • Leave Space for Big Plants: When mulching around larger plants or trees, leave a small gap around the base of the stem/trunk to avoid root rot.
  • Giving your gardens and plants a deep water in Autumn before mulching will keep the soil moist and help with regulating soil temperature helping plants stay healthy during the really cold months.

 

By mulching, you’re saving water, protecting your plants, and helping the environment all while making your garden look neat and tidy.