Here’s why a master gardener days you should.
Why Mulch Before Winter?
You should mulch your beds, trees, and shrubs before winter.
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Mulch will help control the upcoming temperature drops, stabilizing it against freezing.
“It’s also great for the soil’s aesthetic appearance.”
Mulch may alsoprevent or delay frost heave.
Frost heave is when soil repeatedly expands and contracts because of freezing and thawing.
Frost heave can be dangerous for plants, especially perennials, because it damages the soil and severs roots.
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How to Mulch Before Winter
Thebest way to mulchis to start with an evaluation, Angelov says.
Much of the bagged commodity mulch contains chipped-up pallets and lumber.
That mulch has impurities.
It also breaks down better instead of leaving big sticks behind.
Buy in Bulk
Buy mulch in bulkinstead of in bags, whenever possible.
“These can be boughs from evergreens or you might purchase evergreen boughs,” says Angelov.
“You then layer and intertwine the boughs on the bark mulch.
This method captures the moisture beautifully.”
This lasts longer than purely using bark mulch, though it does need some touchups and reapplication.
The downside of rock mulch is that it limits flexibility in the garden.
Touch Up
Be sure to reapply bark mulch once a year.
Frost and freezing temperatures and ways to protect plants.
Penn State Extension / The Pennsylvania State University.
