For years I wanted to grow fruits and veggies in my own yard. Unfortunately, every single time I would plant some seeds, they would fail before they ever took off. It was frustrating, but I simply figured I didn't know enough about gardening to make things work. I was right. After reading a book about garden equipment, I could tell that my irrigation techniques were lacking. Some of my garden wasn't getting enough water, and some of it was getting way too much. This blog is all about watering your garden so that you can maximize your results and improve your supply.
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Irrigating A Better Way
How To Choose The Right Mulch
Raymond Smith
It's no secret that mulch provides many benefits to a home landscape. Mulch prevents weed growth, helps regulate soil temperature, conserves soil moisture, and it can even help improve soil quality. When it comes to mulch, you have many options. The following guide can help you select the best mulch for your specific needs.
Food Gardens
In a vegetable garden, you need mulch that keeps down weeds and conserves moisture. Something that only lasts a season is also preferred, since the mulch will likely be turned under during the fall. Straw mulch fits the bill perfectly. It's low cost, so it's no stress on the wallet to cover an extensive food plot. Just make sure to get seed-free straw. Hay may look similar, but it contains a lot of seed that will sprout and invade your garden.
Perennial Gardens
In a flower garden, the appearance of the mulch is just as important as its function. Since frequent planting isn't a concern in a perennial garden, you can combine an attractive mulch with weed fabric for even more protection. First, lay down the fabric and stake it in place, then cut holes for your plants to poke through. Next, decide on a decorative mulch. Black landscaping mulch works exceptionally well in perennial beds -- not just for it's striking appearance, but also because it helps keep the soil warm during the cooler seasons.
Annual Gardens
Annual beds are much like vegetable gardens in that the soil is often turned over once or more a year. Landscaping fabric doesn't work well for temporary plantings, but wood chip or bark mulch is still the optimum choice for both function and attractiveness. You can opt for a standard natural wood mulch, or you can choose a black or red dyed mulch for a more striking appearance. Keep in mind that the dyes are all natural so they won't harm your plants or soil as the mulch decomposes.
Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs should be treated much like a perennial bed. You can lay down landscaping fabric, if desired, or you can simply use the wood mulch of your choice. If you only use mulch, lay it down to at least a 3 inch depth. The main concern around woody plants is that the mulch will trap moisture against the bark and lead to rot. Simply pull back the mulch a few inches from the wood to avoid this problem.
Contact a mulch service in your area for more help
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