How to mulch
A layer of mulch keeps soil damp, blocks weeds and keeps soil from splashing onto leaves.
Words to know
- Mulch:
- A loose layer on top of the soil, such as straw, shredded leaves or wood chips.
How to do it
- Wait until the soil has warmed in late spring — mulch keeps soil cool.
- Pull weeds and water first.
- Spread 2–3 inches of straw or shredded leaves around the plants.
- Keep it an inch or two back from the stems so they don't rot.
Good to know
- Use straw, not hay — hay is full of weed seeds.
- Grass clippings work in thin layers, from lawns not treated with weedkiller.
- Top it up as it breaks down.
Based on standard guidance from U.S. university extension services, including Cornell, the University of Minnesota and Oregon State.