Mulches are the key and cornerstone to successful gardening - the first thing I consider when looking at a new client plot. It does not matter whether your soil is primarily clay/soil/chalk or desert! Whatever it is - it will benefit from mulches. If you learn nothing else - learn natures way - of beating weeds and improving the soil. And the plants will love you too!!
Put on a thick mulch of whatever is most to hand - be that rotted leaves, bark chips, wood chips, chipped or raw prunings (drop it straight on the soil), stones (yes stones - provide a covering and minerals - and retain moisture) and any kind of animal poo. Horse, Cow, Pig, Chicken, Anything.......
Leave a thick layer of mulch on top of the soil (at least 3 inches) - and do not dig it in. Leave it on top. From time to time - top up the soil with another mulch. Focus on having a net increase in organic matter - and over time your soil will improve dramatically - becoming more and more fertile. Digging will become a thing of the past. The only thing you may need to do is rake the mulch around a bit from time to time to cover the soil. You will have virtually no weeds - yes - NO WEEDS! So a lot less work and no pesticides - which are bad for the soil, for the environment, bees, insects and birds. Watering will be a thing of the past - the soil will retain tons of moisture - even in drought. The plants you grow will be incredibly healthy.
If you have space - every garden should - put a compost heap in one corner. On that compost heap put everything from the garden - apart from weeds. Then from time to time - empty the contents of that heap onto the surface of the garden.
So that is the cornerstone secret to good gardening, start with the soil. Start with mulches.
Happy Gardening,
Sage.
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Kingdom Plants is a forward thinking gardening and plants business. I embrace new and old thinking on the best ways to garden successfully. Call me in to assess your own garden - I can assess the possibilities of your site - working with nature - to produce proven results. I will find and utilise the best gardening practices - to bring the best out of your unique plot.
