If you haven't done so yet, now is the time to add a top layer of mulch to your garden before the summer heats up. Doing so will:- keep roots cool
- reduce soil moisture loss due to evaporation
- prevent soil erosion
- add an attractive, finished look to your garden
When applying mulch, be sure to leave a few inches of room around the plant's base mulch-free to prevent root rot.
Mulches come in many varieties so have fun experimenting. Bark chips slowly add nutrients to the soil as they break down, decomposed granite works well in desert-themed gardens, and river pebbles add a zen-influenced aesthetic.
