Excessive Mulch: Determining the Limits of Mulching
In the world of gardening, mulch is a popular choice for maintaining soil health and promoting plant growth. However, it's essential to understand the right way to use mulch to avoid potential problems. Teo Spengler, a master gardener and docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, shares her insights.
Teo Spengler, who splits her life between San Francisco and the French Basque Country, has studied horticulture for over two decades. Her passion for plants extends to her personal life, with an extended family that includes some 30 houseplants and hundreds of outdoor plants, including 250 trees.
When it comes to mulching, Spengler advises against applying more than 2 or 3 inches (5 or 7.6 cm) of organic mulch to any plant. This is because excessive mulch can smother small plants and even trees, depriving them of water if the gardener only waters lightly. For shallow-rooted plants, apply even less mulch, perhaps 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so.
Mulch also attracts rodents, making an excellent hiding place for voles or other rodents that gnaw on the shrub bark. To prevent this, never pile mulch up against the trunk or stem of a plant. Keep it back by at least 3 inches (7.6 cm). The practice of creating 'mulch volcanoes' by piling mulch up against the trunks of trees and shrubs in a pyramid shape is detrimental since it holds in moisture, leading to decay and providing a point for diseases and pests to enter.
In cooler climates, a layer of organic mulch keeps down weeds, locks in moisture, insulates the ground from cold and hot weather, and disintegrates into the soil providing nutrients and organic content. In warmer climates, however, too much mulch can prevent a plant from experiencing a hardening off process that prepares them for winter.
Dry leaves decompose rapidly and can be piled up a bit thicker compared to other organic mulch. The optimal mulch depth for a plant with low root density, such as a hedge, is generally around 5 to 7.5 centimeters (2 to 3 inches). Deep mulch can cause roots seeking oxygen to circle around in the mulch and girdle the tree or shrub.
In conclusion, while mulch can be beneficial for plants, it's crucial to use it judiciously. By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure a healthier and more beautiful garden.
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