Mulching
 

ok so this weekend i redid my front border which was an overgrown mess. took out all the invasive plants like mint etc, and just replanted the shrubs i liked, honeysuckle, hebe's, hydrangea, hardy gernaniums, azealas, rhodies, and a few other things i don't even know the name off.

soil was very poor, and didnt have time to double dig so just added compost to planting holes. also planted about 300 various bulbs in spaces.

what is best mulch to use to improve growing conditions and should i do now or wait till spring?

thanks 4 your help :)

"Tiger303" wrote in message
...

ok so this weekend i redid my front border which was an overgrown mess.
took out all the invasive plants like mint etc, and just replanted the
shrubs i liked, honeysuckle, hebe's, hydrangea, hardy gernaniums,
azealas, rhodies, and a few other things i don't even know the name
off.

soil was very poor, and didnt have time to double dig so just added
compost to planting holes. also planted about 300 various bulbs in
spaces.

what is best mulch to use to improve growing conditions and should i do
now or wait till spring?

thanks 4 your help :)

--
Tiger303

Mulch with whatever you've got. Compost, well-rotted manure, leaf-mould etc.
Bark or coco shells can be used but reduce moisture loss, rather than add
nutrients.

I'd do it now as it's going to be easier to apply. In the spring you'll have
to be careful not to break the new growth of the bulbs. Put up-turned flower
pots over the smaller plants to protect them from damage while applying the
mulch.

HTH

Nick
http://www.ukgardening.co.uk

Type this in once already but then it disappeared, so appologies if it
duplicates.


I would much now with one proviso. And that is - Do not mulch frozen
ground. If the ground is frozen then your mulch will act as a nice
insulator and keep it frozen for longer.
Out of interest - what type of mulch do you intend to use?

Phil

wrote in message
oups.com...
Type this in once already but then it disappeared, so appologies if it
duplicates.


I would much now with one proviso. And that is - Do not mulch frozen
ground. If the ground is frozen then your mulch will act as a nice
insulator and keep it frozen for longer.
Out of interest - what type of mulch do you intend to use?

Phil

Well rotted compost is best for mulching

Research in Australia found that Coco Bark and other non rotted mulches etc
pour resins into the soil making it impervious to water

If the material has decomposed during normal composting then theres no
damage to the soil

was planning to use well rotted manure to improve soil as much as possible, but i think i remember reading that it can burn the roots of azealas. maybe thats just when mixed right into planting hole, and not as mulch. any advice greatly appreciated

"Tiger303" wrote in message
...

Wrote:
Out of interest - what type of mulch do you intend to use?

was planning to use well rotted manure to improve soil as much as
possible, but i think i remember reading that it can burn the roots of
azealas. maybe thats just when mixed right into planting hole, and not
as mulch. any advice greatly appreciated


--
Tiger303

well rotted manure is fine anytime of year
Fresh manure will burn plants outside of winter months
although best restricted to rose beds and fruit trees/bushes

In article , nambucca
writes


Well rotted compost is best for mulching

Research in Australia found that Coco Bark and other non rotted mulches etc
pour resins into the soil making it impervious to water

If the material has decomposed during normal composting then theres no
damage to the soil



I would be curious to know, given the difference in climate, whether
this research has any relevance to the UK

--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

"Tiger303" wrote in message
...

ok so this weekend i redid my front border which was an overgrown
mess.
took out all the invasive plants like mint etc, and just replanted
the
shrubs i liked, honeysuckle, hebe's, hydrangea, hardy gernaniums,
azealas, rhodies, and a few other things i don't even know the name
off.

soil was very poor, and didnt have time to double dig so just added
compost to planting holes. also planted about 300 various bulbs in
spaces.

what is best mulch to use to improve growing conditions and should i
do
now or wait till spring?

Find out if your local council has a composting dervice and acquire
compost from them.

IMO it is best to wait till early March if you want to minimise
nutrient losses during the winter.

thanks 4 your help :)

Franz