What is the best winter mulch?
Mulching is an extremely effective way of protecting plant roots from extreme cold in wintertime. Some mulches can be purchased commercially, but others are simply materials that homeowners have on hand, such as leaves, hay or straw. The mulch should cover the plant to a depth of 1–3 inches depending on the type used. Many organic mulches break down over time and must be replaced each year.
Mulching is an important technique in wintertime because it keeps plants warmer during cold snaps when night-time temperatures plummet. It also prevents soil erosion by keeping rain from splashing dirt onto the plants’ root systems. Additionally, mulching helps prevent weed growth around plants if done correctly.
Some effective mulches include: bark chips , grass clippings , sawdust , composted leaves , newspapers , manure , hay and straw . You can even use fabric to cover plant beds for the winter. Plastic mulches are not recommended in most cases because they keep too much heat inside, which could harm plants when spring rolls around.
Because of their relatively shallow root system, most plants don’t deal well with the extreme cold and lack of plant food that winter brings. If you love your plants, provide them an extra layer of protection by covering them with a cushiony blanket of mulch made from hay, leaves, straw or pine needles.
Best Winter Mulch: Hay
Hay makes great winter mulch because it is easy to cut and handle and looks nice on flower beds. I like using larger bales for cover since they allow for lots of overwintering projects and will last longer than smaller square bales. Once I am ready to use it in the spring, all I have to do is fluff up those little pieces so air can circulate. This keeps the plants healthier all winter long.
If you are using round bales to mulch your gardens, you will need to take some additional steps before applying them. Hay is heavy and slippery, so it can be challenging to get your garden ready for its protective layer of hay; plus, grass seeds will sprout if exposed to light or loose soil.
Best Winter Mulch: Leaves & Pine Needles
Leaves make an excellent mulch for planting beds , trees and shrubs . Since they pack down over time, this organic material will actually help plants hold in moisture during dry spells as well as prevent weed growth around tender bark. I like that leaves come naturally without having to do much work—just leave them where they fall—but you need a LOT of them to cover your garden, so this method is best for small planting beds.
The other mulching option I use in my garden is pine needles . Although pine needles take a while to decompose and can dry out your soil if left on too long, they are great for giving evergreens an extra boost through the winter. Pine straw works well as a barrier material for trees like arborvitaes and junipers , which produce acidic or alkaline sap that can burn plants or grass below it.
Best Winter Mulch: Straw
A fiber byproduct called hay , straw is typically used in animal bedding but also makes an excellent winterch for flower beds, vegetable gardens and trees. Straw is lightweight, so it’s easy to move around—a plus for people without a lot of storage space or time to collect organic waste materials. The last part of winter can be difficult because the ground becomes saturated with rain, but the straw mulch will allow water to drain through while keeping weeds out.
There are other choices for winter mulch available at your local garden center, but these are my favorites. Just remember that this extra protection won’t work forever—after six months or so, you will need to remove the mulch and let your plants breathe again.
