Mulching

There are three reasons why a gardener should mulch.

Prevents Weeds

Mulching helps prevent weeds. I spend a lot of time battling weeds in my yard because there are too many bare spots without bushes or flowers. Weeds, like all plants, follow the same growing season as other plants. As soon as winter is over they start growing fast. If, as soon as winter ended, I mulched my yard I would have less weeds to deal with. 

Mulching helps prevent seeds from sprouting. Seeds need sun, water and soil to grow. So, to reduce the amount of weeds growing in your yard, mulch to prevent sunlight from hitting the ground causing weeds to grow. Also

Another reason for mulching is water retention. I have a lot of landscaping done in my yard therefore a lot of water is required to keep plants thriving. Mulch reduces the amount of water evaporating thereby keeping your plants cool and moist in the summer months.

Last reason to mulch is because mulch makes your landscaping look fresh and beautiful. Plants pop out nicely against a uniform background. 

So, mulch on!

Rugged Side Garden

Rugged Side Garden

Shade Garden

Pegola

Side walkway

mailbox

Front side Garden

Blooms spring 2015

I've been surprised by the amount of blooms in my yard in spring of 2015. Wildflowers that I planted last year  are performing beautifully this year. knockouts are in early stages of blooming.  During summer last year I bought some flowers that were almost dead from Lowes; I planted them and  this year they are gracing my garden.

Iris Spring 2015

Blooms

My Hostas Spring 2015

My hostas are doing wonderfully this year. I moved them from under the oak trees where they were suffering badly during summer months. The oak trees were depriving my hostas of nutrients. I'm glad I did because they look like they will bloom nicely this year.

Of cause now I have to figure out what I'm going to do under my oak trees. Nothing seems to be growing there. If you have any ideas as to what I can plant under them, let me know.