For people who want to grow more food with less work. 🌱 This is my weekly newsletter loved by 38,000+ subscribers—here's what one of them had to say: "These are not the regular run-of-the-mill garden-based emails. You actually touch on more unusual tidbits that encourage me to keep growing and learning."
the mulch I recommend for all kinds of gardens
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Mulch usually isn't given much thought in a garden. It's not exactly one of the "pretty" things we're excited to pick out, nor does it get enough credit for all the good things it does throughout the year, from keeping our gardens from becoming a mushy, muddy mess in spring to keeping plant roots from freezing or drying out in winter. And some types of mulch—like compost, which can and should be used as mulch—actually improve soil structure by feeding microbes, increasing soil fertility, and preventing erosion and rainwater runoff. In my own garden, I cycle through 4 main mulches:
I use other kinds of mulch as they're available (like fallen leaves or wood chips) but the takeaway is this: mulch is a foundational element of every garden that no one should ignore. ​Here are the 12 best types of mulches I recommend (whether you're mulching a garden path or a flower bed), where to use what ​and​ how much to use.​ This week I got an email from one of my favorite garlic suppliers, Filaree Farm, that they were accepting preorders for fall shipment. I've been growing Music garlic (a Porcelain type) for the last few years, but decided to try something new. One of the things I love about Music garlic (and all Porcelains) is how huge the cloves are—they're a cook's dream! So I chose Romanian Red, which averages 5 fat cloves per bulb (not to mention Filaree said it was a favorite on their farm for its hot and pungent flavor). (I also threw in a half-pound of Majestic garlic to try because, well, you can never have too much garlic. 😬) If you're also ordering your fall garlic soon, take a look at this guide to choosing the best varieties for your climate. I cover all the different groups, when they mature, how many cloves you can expect from each bulb, and more. P.S. Don't neglect one of the most important components of a garden: mulch! Here's what I recommend using.​ P.P.S. How much mulch did you use last year? How many cloves of garlic can you plant in your garden bed? What variety stored the longest or did the best? My Ultimate Garden Diary can help you track all of this, and more!​ |
Garden Betty
Gardening made easy, life made simpler.
For people who want to grow more food with less work. 🌱 This is my weekly newsletter loved by 38,000+ subscribers—here's what one of them had to say: "These are not the regular run-of-the-mill garden-based emails. You actually touch on more unusual tidbits that encourage me to keep growing and learning."