Mulch uncovered beds even in winter

Winter is a strenuous time for your garden. Hardy plants have to contend with frost, snow, and wind. The soil and its organisms suffer from erosion, siltation, and drying out. How can you protect your garden from these problems? The answer is: mulch!

Mulching means covering the soil with a layer of organic material, such as leaves, straw, grass clippings, or compost. This layer has many benefits for your garden, which we'll explain in this article.

Why you should mulch the soil in winter:

• Mulch prevents drastic temperature fluctuations. Mulch acts like an insulating blanket that keeps the soil temperature constant. This prevents the soil from heating up or cooling down too much. Mulch also protects your plants from frost damage by keeping them dormant and preventing premature sprouting.
• Mulch prevents soil erosion and silting. Mulch forms a barrier between the soil and the elements, such as rain, snow, and wind. This prevents valuable topsoil from being washed away or compacted. Mulch also improves soil structure by loosening the soil and promoting air circulation.
• Mulch prevents the soil from drying out. Mulch reduces evaporation of water from the soil by shading the surface. This helps retain moisture in the soil and saves water. Mulch also protects against drying out by increasing wind resistance and maintaining humidity.
• Mulch prevents soil acidification. Mulch neutralizes the soil's pH by releasing alkaline substances such as calcium, magnesium, or potassium. This prevents the soil from becoming too acidic, which can impair nutrient uptake and soil life. Important: Do not use acidic materials for mulching, such as walnut or oak leaves!
• Mulch promotes soil life and nutrient supply. Mulch provides a habitat and food source for many beneficial soil organisms, such as worms, bacteria, and fungi. These decompose the organic matter and convert it into humus and nutrients. This enriches the soil with organic matter and significantly improves fertility. Mulch also protects against nutrient loss by preventing leaching and off-gassing.
• Mulch prevents weeds from growing. With a sufficiently thick layer (at least 5-10 cm), weeds are no longer able to germinate and develop. It's important that the material is cut finely enough to prevent light from penetrating the soil's surface.

As you can see, mulching has many benefits for your garden. You protect your plants and soil from the adversities of winter and prepare them for spring. You also save water, fertilizer, and labor by utilizing natural processes. You also enhance the appearance of your garden by creating a harmonious and natural look.

You can use various materials, such as beech leaves, straw, green waste, grass clippings, or compost. Make sure the material is unsprayed. A layer of 5 to 10 cm is optimal to reap the benefits of mulching.