Advantages of Fall Mulching

In spring and summer, mulching helps control weeds. In fall mulching has a different purpose. During the months ahead, temperatures can change radically. The ground heaves as it freezes and thaws, forcing the root systems of many plants up from the soil and exposing them. Mulch helps maintain a more even temperature and also raises the freeze line, which encourages earthworms to work closer to the surface of the soil. Make sure you have cleaned up mulch from summer. Leaving it can invite disease and rodents. Apply fall mulch when the ground is frozen or near frozen.

Leaves

• Chopped leaves make a great organic mulch that breaks down throughout the year and adds nutrients to the soil. Apply about 6 inches of leaves for mulch.
• Don't use whole leaves for mulching — they will pack down and keep air from getting to the soil.
• If you're not going to use leaves as mulch, don't burn them. Not only is it against fire codes in certain areas, it produces fumes that are damaging to the environment. Add them to your compost pile instead.

Wood Shavings

• Use about 3 to 4 inches of wood shavings for mulch.
• Choose hardwood shavings rather than pine or spruce for better moisture retention.
• This is a good decorative mulch to use around trees. Leave space between the trunk of the tree and the mulch.

Straw

• Use about 6 to 8 inches of straw.
• Straw is high in carbon, which encourages soil organisms to take nitrogen. Apply fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, like blood meal, to the area before you put down the straw.
• Wait until the ground is frozen or almost frozen before you add straw. Any earlier application will encourage mold and mildew to form on the surface.
• Hay is not a good alternative to straw; it often carries seeds that will eventually sprout and cause weed problems in your garden bed.

Compost

• Use 4 to 6 inches. Anything that hasn't completely composted will decompose over the winter and add nutrients to the soil.
• It can be used anywhere in the yard.
• Unless you live somewhere where your compost freezes, turn the compost pile through the winter to keep it moist. This will help break down organic soil.

Crushed Stone

• It retains heat and looks nice but is expensive. Use in combination with landscape fabric.
• Add a few inches of stone, enough to cover the landscape fabric.