What is mulch? Well it is a material spread on our soil surface, like straw, leaves, bark, or stones to help protect the soil from freezing, rain drop compaction, evaporation, and weeds. It also keeps the garden looking tidy and fresh, adds nutrients and gives those hard working worms a place to hide!

There are a variety of mulches readily available to purchase, like the beautiful black fish compost or the cinder red bark mulch, or you may wish to be more inventive, creative, and plant specific. Here are a variety of do it yourself mixes to help your garden grow gloriously. Mulches can be applied at any time of the day and year, so there are no mulch restrictions.

Acid loving plant mulch

    2 cubic feet of peat moss
    2 cubic feet bark mulch
    5 lbs manure or fish compost
    4 cups bone meal
    4 cups old coffee grinds
    Mix thoroughly and place a two" layer around plant drip line, and then water well.

Alkaline loving plants

    2 cubic foot of peat moss
    3 lbs mature compost
    3 cups wood ash
    6 cups of lime
    Mix thoroughly and place a two" layer around plant drip line, water well.

Succulents and Cacti

    10 cups clean sand
    2 cups compost
    1/2 cup bone meal
    Mix thoroughly and place 1" layer around plants, water lightly.

Perennials and Herbs

    1 cubic feet peat moss
    2 cubic feet bark mulch
    5 lbs fish compost
    2 cups bone meal
    1 cup lime
    Mix thoroughly and place 2" layer on plants and water well.