Mulching In the Fall

The best time to lay down your mulch is before the first freeze of the year. This will help insulate your plants while they overwinter. Mulch will retain moisture in the soil, so your plants won’t dry up in the dry winter months. Mulch when applied in the fall will suppress weeds in the springtime. On top of those benefits, organic mulch will slowly release organic matter, encourages earthworms and soil microbes.

Organic mulch like wood chips, shredded bark, straw, and any other natural material needs to be replaced every 1-2 years. This can depend on the amount of water that is used daily, but a good check is to dig into your mulch and check for any mold. If mold is in your mulch than it is time for it to be replaced.

The last great thing about applying mulch in the fall is the cooler weather!