Mulch can be added to flower gardens at any time
Q. How much mulch should I use for my perennial garden and what kind?
A. Mulch has many benefits when used in your garden. I like to think of mulch as my super hero as it not only prevents the summer rain from evaporating too quickly, it also shades my beloved perennials' roots on those hot summer days. And, the best part is that mulch can minimize those pesky weeds from taking root in your garden.
While I generally lay mulch in late spring, you can really lay mulch any time of year. Before doing so, do your best to weed your garden area. This will also help to minimize weeds.
As for how much, that depends on how spread out or compact your perennial garden is. The general rule of thumb is to spread mulch 2 to 3 inches thick around your plants. I've spread as much as 4 to 5 inches to keep weeds at bay.
You do have to be careful when laying mulch though. Be sure to keep the mulch away from the base of your plants to allow good air circulation. Some gardeners will lay newspaper down on top of the soil before adding mulch, which adds a second weed barrier if you find yourself overrun with weeds each summer.
What kind of mulch you select is up to you. Mulch can be either organic (like bark nuggets, cocoa hulls, shredded wood, dry grass clippings) or inorganic (like rocks, or stones). You can also find many eco-friendly mulches like pine needles, eucalyptus, cocoa mulch and even the rubber mulch, much of which is made from recycled products.
I prefer organic or eco-friendly mulches as they are easy to spread. They are also easy to move aside if you decide to add more plants to your garden. You can generally plan to add new organic mulch to your garden every few years as the old decomposes and improves your soil, which is another benefit of organic mulch.
Inorganic mulch like river rock is a great low maintenance option as it doesn't decompose and lasts for years. The downside is you may find it difficult to add new plants to the garden as the rocks tend to settle and are hard to move when you need to weed and/or add new plants.
As mulch does add a sense of design to your garden. What type you choose depends on the kind of garden you envision. Either way, you'll find great value in using mulch in your garden.
- Wendy Reiner
• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines, and University of Illinois Extension, North Cook Branch Office, Arlington Heights. Call (847) 298-3502 on Wednesdays or email northcookmg@gmail.com. Visit web.extension.illinois.edu/mg.