Compost mulch cuts down on weeding, feeding, watering

As the ultimate lazy gardener, I’ve always wanted great looking perennials and prolific vegetable gardens but without all that weeding, feeding and hard work. I brought home a few of those cute, red-capped gnomes hoping they would create a little garden magic such as overnight weed removal, but unfortunately those pesky garden gnomes are as lazy as I am. They just stood around all night! Sheesh. …

I thought my lazy summer days were doomed to lots of back-breaking manual labor. Then I had an epiphany – mulch, mulch and more mulch. Magical mulch, in the form of compost, saved the day and my lazy lifestyle. Plus my flowers and vegetables have never looked better.

Spending a little time now by mulching with a couple inches of compost does a lot for you, your plants and your soil.

Mulching smothers emerging weeds, helps prevent weed seeds from germinating and thus cuts way down on the time you’ll have to spend weeding for the rest of the summer. And here’s the best part, you’ll have even fewer weeds next year. By replacing your usual routine of hoeing or pulling weeds each year with annually adding a compost mulch you break the cycle of bringing soil-borne weed seeds (there are thousands upon thousands) to the surface for germination next year. Fewer weeds mean your plants get all the available water and nutrients and will perform better, stay healthier and have more disease and pest resistance.

A 2-inch layer of compost will help cool the soil during the day and reduces water evaporation by as much as 50 percent – very important in a drought–prone region such as ours. Mulched plants need less watering and because their roots stay cooler they tolerate heat stress better; have another glass of iced tea instead of getting up to move the sprinkler.

Could it get any better than less weeding, less watering and healthier plants? Absolutely.

An annual application of compost mulch feeds your plants all season long and conditions the soil. As the mulch slowly breaks down nitrogen and other nutrients are released and feed your plants – forget about lugging around bags of fertilizer and have a lemonade this time. The real bonus to mulching with compost is what it does for the soil.

Improving the texture, fertility and moisture retaining properties of your soil is where the real value of mulching with compost lies. Compost is humus, decomposed plant material. Adding humus to the soil makes it richer in nutrients, improves its ability to hold water and improves soil texture. Good soil generates great gardens.

Make a trip to your local garden center or hardware store and get some compost today. If you’re into learning how to make your own, visit the Master Gardener Plant Clinic at 222 N. Havana St. or visit us online at http://www.spokane-county.wsu.edu/spokane/eastside. Don’t forget to make another pitcher of tea – you’ll have lots of time to enjoy it.

What to do in the garden this week

•Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch in your perennial and vegetable beds. If slowing evaporation and conserving moisture is your goal, pine needles, newspapers, old carpeting, plastic film and bark all work well.

•Pull lettuces, radishes and spinach at the first sign of bolting and replant with a fall-maturing crop like beets, chard, broccoli or scallions. Begin harvesting herbs which are now at their best.

•Cut back and divide irises now. Replant the rhizomes just at the soil surface and keep them well-watered until new growth is showing.

•Side-dress heavy-feeding vegetables like corn and cauliflower with an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer. Make sure to apply at the label’s recommended rate.

•Check newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials on a hot day. If they are wilting, mulch to cool the soil and take steps to ensure they receive extra water each week. If your garden is automatically watered, use a tuna can to make sure all the plantings get adequate moisture – about 1 inch per week.

•Take nightly strolls through your garden. You’ll notice the weed that escaped your hoe and which plants need additional water. Be on the lookout for insect pests and slugs. They are often more noticeable in the cool of the evening. Hand picking now can prevent an infestation later.