Even in in Camas, Washougal and Vancouver, Washington, with our abundant rainfall, you still need much more than just some water and seeds, in order to create a thriving garden. You need to give care and attention to the soil in order to receive greater results. One eco-friendly and effective solution to upgrading the quality of your soil is adding mulch. Mulching does not only help suppress weeds and retain moisture but also acts as a natural nutrient supplier for plants. In this post, we’ll discuss improving your garden by adding nutrients with mulch.
Moisture Retention
Mulch reduces water evaporation by acting as a protective barrier. Retaining moisture creates a stable environment for plants, creating a more consistent water supply. This can have a greater impact in dryer areas. When soil is properly hydrated, plants absorb nutrients more efficiently.
Weed Suppression
Weeds aren’t just ugly and time-consuming to address, they also take away nutrients from surrounding plants. Mulch acts as a natural barrier, stopping weed growth, reducing the need to constantly pull them. This not only saves time and effort but allows for nutrients to support the plants.
Temperature Regulation
Mulch acts as insulation for the soil, helping to regulate the fluctuation of temperature. This is very important for plants in places with severe weather conditions. The mulch will keep the soil cool in hot conditions and warm in cooler conditions, preventing freezing and overheating. Creating an environment with consistent soil temperature is beneficial for microorganisms that contribute nutrients.
Organic Matter Decomposition
Wood chips, straw, and leaves will break down over time making them organic mulches. They add organic material to the soil as well as phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. This natural process contributes to soil fertility, helping produce healthy plant growth.
Microbial Activity Enhancement
Microorganisms play a huge role in nutrient cycling, healthy soil is filled with these microorganisms. Mulching provides an ideal environment for these microbes, giving them a place to thrive. As microorganisms break down organic mulch material, they release nutrients in a form that plants can easily absorb.
Choosing The Right Mulch
Different types of mulches provide different benefits and qualities. Organic mulches, as mentioned earlier, slowly decompose over time, while inorganic mulches, such as gravel or paver stones, act as a long-lasting weed suppression. It’s important to consider the plants and gardens specific needs while selecting the type of mulch you’re going to use.
Incorporating mulch into your gardening routine is an easy yet impactful way to increase the quality of your plants. Besides reducing weeds and providing additional aesthetic appeal, mulch will be a natural and continuous source of nutrient availability for your garden. Once incorporating mulch into your landscape, you won’t only experience visual benefits, but the benefit of healthy soil and plants too. Urban Eden has many years of experience in applying various types of mulch to our clients’ landscape. We would love to help with any and all of your landscape needs. Contact us today for a FREE estimate.