key points
- Although mulching your gardens is beneficial, mulching is not necessary in the fall.
- As long as your garden is grassy, there is no need to add anything else in the fall.
- Weeding out beds and dividing perennials are more worthwhile tasks this fall.
Fall may signal that the end of the growing season is near, but don’t put away your gardening tools just yet. There are some tasks that need to be completed before frost arrives to ensure that your garden is prepared to withstand the cold temperatures of the coming winter.
From planting bulbs and harvesting seeds in the spring to pruning and covering cold-sensitive plants, autumn is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the long winter rest. but it is autumn mulching In the list?
This common fall gardening task has simply become a habit for you over the years, but is it really worth the time and money, or can your garden survive the winter without it? We asked a gardening expert.
meet the expert
David Mizejewski is a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation and author of Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife.
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Do you need to mulch your garden in the fall?
Mulch your garden Provides a myriad of benefits, from maintaining soil moisture to suppressing weeds to protecting plant roots. Generally, it is recommended to apply a fresh layer of mulch in the spring, especially in areas with harsh winters where snowfall can disrupt the existing mulch layer.
There’s also been discussion about mulching your garden in the fall, with many experts saying it’s essential to help your plants survive the cold temperatures of winter. However, author and naturalist David Mizezewski of the National Wildlife Federation says the need for fall mulching has been overstated.
“There is no particular benefit to mulching, especially in the fall,” he says. “The best time to mulch is when bare soil is exposed, regardless of the weather.”
If your garden did not receive proper mulching in the spring, fall may be a good time to do so before winter weather arrives. Likewise, if you’re planning on doing a lot of gardening and planting in the fall, it’s a good idea to add mulch as you go.
Generally, freshly planted trees, shrubs and perennials benefit most from mulching as their tender roots adapt to their new environment.
But if your garden already has a solid layer of mulch, there’s no need to add more in the fall. This is especially true for established native varieties, which may not need as much protection from the elements in your area.
Mulching Best Practices
When it comes to mulch, there’s no shortage of options. However, Mieszewski says there are a few things you should know before you start mulching your garden.
First, select organic mulch Always best for the health and longevity of your garden. Organic mulches, such as leaves, straw, grass clippings and wood chips, help improve soil as they decompose.
Even better is the leaf layer that naturally forms in the fall as trees lose their leaves, Mieszewski says.
“Fallen leaves are the most natural form of mulch and are completely free,” he says. “The fallen leaf layer is also an important habitat for countless beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife. They will compost and deliver nutrients directly to the roots of your plants.”
Another natural mulching method worth considering is “green mulching” or “dense planting.” This practice involves planting your garden strategically so that the plants themselves cover the soil with their leaves. This can be done by planting them closer to each other, or by adding dense ground cover between your larger plants.
Other Important Fall Gardening Tasks
So, with fall mulching and leaves officially removed from your fall gardening list, where should you focus your efforts in the garden this season?
tidying up your gardens (removing annuals and dead plants to prevent pests and diseases over winter), planting spring bulbsDividing perennial plants, saving seeds, and making the final harvest of your late crops are tasks worthy of attention.
Taking the time to evaluate your garden’s performance for the year and plan next year’s planting and layout are also worthwhile tasks to help you prepare for next year’s garden.
