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When considering your vegetable garden, you may not immediately think about laying down mulch between the plants. Even if you apply the covering to all other trees, shrubs, and flower beds in your yard, it seems less obvious to use it where you’re growing food. However, the right application can yield better quality produce—and more of it.

A Guide to Vegetable Garden Mulch

Benefits of Mulching

Most gardens have troubles with weeds, but mulch can discourage their growth. By weighing down new sprouts and preventing sunlight from reaching their leaves, the compounds can prevent their growth. Additionally, the layer of material prevents premature evaporation, which means that water will soak into the soil fully and remain there until the roots absorb it. It also prevents root scorching on particularly sunny days.

Choosing a Mulch

mulchBecause vegetables need to sprout through the mulch, stay away from heavy options like wood chips and stone. This could damage the produce as it scratches the vegetables as they emerge. Organic mixtures, however, are lighter and add nutrients to the soil as they decompose. Gardeners who choose this option will have to reapply two to three times a year to combat decompositions whereas wood shavings or sawdust will not break down as quickly.

Application

Regardless of material, apply a thick layer. Cover the garden with 2–3 inches of material to prevent weeds from poking through without restricting water from reaching the soil. Some gardeners also add a few sheets of newspaper beneath the mulch to discourage weeds more as the sunlight will not reach them easily through the additional layer, and the paper will break down over time while still providing drainage.

 

Whether you need mulch for your vegetable garden, shrubs, or flower beds, you can find what you need at Affordable Landscape Supplies in Burlington, KY. With a variety of mulch options, they can help you select one that will best protect your plants from weeds and sun exposure while still staying within budget. Additionally, they supply fill dirt and decorative stone to help you put the finishing touches on your landscape. To learn more about their mulch options, visit them online, and call (859) 586-9142 to place an order.

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