Mulch - What is it exactly?

Colin

unread,

Jun 13, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/13/97

to

I'm about to become a new gardener! Reading the newsgroup to try and pick
things up.

Anne Barlow

unread,

Jun 15, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/15/97

to

> I'm about to become a new gardener! Reading the newsgroup to try and pick
> things up.
>

Hi Colin,
I'm new at it too.
I only have a small garden, so I grow beans and peas in window box type
containers. Curly Kale, beetroot and sprouting broccoli as foliage
plants.
I think Mulch is grass clippings etc put around the base of plants
to keep in moisture and keep the weeds down. If I'm wrong I'm sure
someone with more experience will let us know.
I'm very happy to know there are others out there that are new too,
we can both learn a lot together.
Happy gardening Colin

--
love anne
XXX

Anne Barlow

unread,

Jun 16, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/16/97

to

> In article <33A33927.MD...@netcomuk.co.uk>, Anne Barlow
> <an...@netcomuk.co.uk> softly insinuates

> >> I'm about to become a new gardener! Reading the newsgroup to try and pick

> So far as I am aware, mulch is any bulky stuff (manure, compost, grass
> clippings, bark chips, etc etc) you put on the surface of the soil,
> instead of digging it in.
>
> If you read old gardening books, they tend to make very heavy weather
> out of telling you to do lots of digging and mixing organic matter into
> the soil. Although this is sometimes necessary, I think people have
> since discovered that you can often just put the stuff on the surface as
> a mulch and the earthworms will dig it in for you.
>
> As well as providing organic matter to improve soil structure and
> provide some nutrients, mulches are often recommended as a way to keep
> the water in and protect against drought.
>
> If you are applying a mulch that is not fully rotted down (eg fresh
> grass rather than compost) it may be wise to put it around the plants
> but not actually touching their stems. This is because as it rots it
> generates heat which could scorch them.
>
> Hope that helps

Thanks for that, you put it much better than I did.
I told you someone would help us out didn't I Colin.

Will I get more slugs with mulching or doesn't it make any difference,
I thought they would have a good place to hide and breed in it ?

BTW I've just picked my first veg, only my radishes but its a start.
My peas and beans are growing well and the potato I have in an old
compost bag is growing too. Am I doing the right thing topping it up
with compost and turning up the sides. I couldn't put it in the garden
as its only small so I can't earth it up.
The variety is Anna from a value bag I got from Tesco. I can't find
anything about it in gardening books.
Thanks in advance

--
love anne
XXX

Paul S Billingham

unread,

Jun 22, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/22/97

to Colin

Colin wrote:

> I'm about to become a new gardener! Reading the newsgroup to try and
> pick

> things up.

Mulch is material which is put on top of the soil around the bases of
plants and often the entire area. This material is usually chipped bark,
cocoa shell or peat. The purpose is to suppress weed growth, retain
water in the soil and it also offers some frost protection for roots
(good for evergreens especially). Mulching is one of the easiest and
best things you can do for your garden, paticulary shrub beds.

Paul Billingham
Beechcroft Nurseries & Garden Centre