CONSERVATION CORNER

MULCHES: REDUCE WEEDS AND WATER LOSS FROM SOILS

Looking for a way to reduce the number of weeds that pop up in your yard? Mulches can make a significant contribution. Mulches are anything that covers bare ground and typical examples are boulders, gravels, decomposed granite, tree bark, and wood chips. Other examples include logs, pine needles, stepping-stones, and cobble stones.

All of the above contribute to the reduction of weeds and minimize the amount of soil moisture that is simply lost to evaporation. So if you are looking for a way to minimize spraying herbicide, hoeing and pulling weeds, or you want to lengthen the time between watering, mulches may be the very thing you should consider.

Beyond the practical uses of mulches, they add color and texture to a landscape. Boulders and gravels come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Use them to provide borders and accents throughout the garden. Decomposed granite can be used to cover large areas or make interesting, contrastingly colored pathways. Tree bark and wood chips can be used for a softer look and feel in the garden. Thus, there are many ways that mulches can be used to benefit the look and function of a landscape. Use them to reduce the labor and water needed to maintain your garden, along with improving its visual appeal.

MULCHES: ONE MORE WAY TO DO MORE WITH LESS

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