The use of mulches and soil conditioners and manures reduces the variation in soil temperature, making plants more capable of surviving dry periods and hot weather. It is more important for the gardener to consider the amount of water that is used in the garden than at any time in the past.
An ever increasing number of people and industries are using an ever decreasing water supply. Gardeners need to be more aware of the water needs for their plants and use a minimum amount. An oversupply of water in your garden makes your plants lazy and they won’t send their roots out in search of water. You can turn your beautiful plants into ‘couch potatoes’. The seeds of weeds will also thrive in a moist environment, so unless you like to spend your gardening time pulling weeds rather than smelling the roses, observe the signs your plants give you. A regular thorough watering once or twice a week is much better than a light spray every day. It is easy to kill or harm your plants with too much kindness. Fungal diseases are more commonly found in damp gardens, so the answer to your black spot or mildew problems may be to water more wisely. The use of drip irrigation under mulch will reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation.
Does my garden need soil conditioning?
The answer to this question is to be found in your garden. Simply take a spade and dig until you have found worms.
If you find big fat worms within each test spot in your garden then congratulations, go put your feet up and bask in the knowledge that nature or your good gardening skills are doing the right thing for your plants. If, however, you have enlisted the help of a neighbor with a bobcat to find your garden worms, then you will need a lot of organic material.
Organic material will benefit all soils from heavy clay to light sandy loams.
The nutrients in organic material are not as concentrated as in fertilizers. Which means that plants are not at risk of having roots burnt by strong applications. An annual application of mulch should keep your garden in top condition.
The addition of organic matter to your garden will mean that you have:
- less weeding
- less watering
- less disease problems
- less pest problems
- stronger, healthy plants
- more flowers
- more fruit
- more time to relax
By using our organic mulch products in your garden you will have a healthier, more productive garden that will require less maintenance leaving you more time to enjoy the finer things in life, like your garden.
Saving water
A mulch layer on the surface of the soil reduces irrigation water use and better utilizes available rainwater, by allowing the soil to soak up significantly more water. Soil surface tension is reduced for increased water penetration and the mulch layer dries out much faster than the soil below it, forming a barrier to evaporation. Apart from the obvious benefits during drought and hot conditions by conserving water usage and maximizing every drop applied, mulching provides many advantages all year round that far outweigh the costs.
Reduction in erosion and soil loss
Mulching binds the surface together to create a more stable soil on slopes and minimizes soil loss through the effects of flooding and wind erosion.
Encourages strong root growth
Mulching insulates the soil from dramatic temperature changes therefore providing an ideal environment for root growth. The creation of this favorable microclimate improves the physical, chemical and biological composition of the soil. As a result, crop yields are significantly increased and gardens are encouraged to thrive.
Excellent weed control
While mulching does not prevent weed seeds from sprouting, weed emergence is blocked by the mulch layer as the light becomes inhibited. A 90mm thick layer of mulch on the soil surface keeps most annual weeds from coming through. Those that do break through are more easily removed from the loose, mulched soil. An additional benefit to this reduction in weeds is obviously a diminution in the need for pesticides and herbicides and their associated costs.
Reduces the amounts of soil additives needed
Organic mulch as it breaks down it enriches the soil. The mulch is abundant in naturally occurring microbes, co-metabolites, enzymes, catalysts, vitamins and organic acids, all of which stimulate plant growth and promote a physically, chemically and biologically balanced soil.
Ground crop care
Mulching eliminates soil splashing which can damage low growing crops such as tomatoes, lettuce etc.