Mulching your garden beautifies the appearance of the landscape while improving the health of your soil. Mulching is essential for landscapes in Michigan since it protects plants from winter burn (the winter version of sunburn). A protective layers of evergreen (consider recycling the branches of Christmas trees) guards vulnerable plants.
A few things to consider:
Covering your garden beds — This keeps weeds down and reduces water consumption.
Watering — Mulch is nature’s moisturizer, and even the thinnest layer will reduce evaporation from the soil surface. Consider a thicker layer, which can help reduce water usage by 50 percent.
Varying textures — Mulch comes in many shapes and forms, and can add a unique beauty to your garden or property. Gardeners who prefer a natural look should use dark colored mulches made of bark or compost. For a modern feel, use bright gravel. For utilitarian gardens, like vegetable gardens, straw is an excellent choice. Try to avoid the dyes and chemicals in colored mulch.
Take heart in the snow; it is one of nature’s best mulching materials, and allows plants to grow that wouldn’t survive the snowless seasons further south.