Mulching Perennial Flowers

Mulching gives an orderly look to the garden, cuts down on weeding, and helps maintain uniform soil moisture. Organic mulches add some nutrients and humus to the soil as they decompose and improve soil tilth and moisture holding capacity.

Most organic mulches should be applied after plants are well established and when there is reasonably good soil moisture. Pine bark nuggets, pine needles, compost, and shredded leaves are commonly used organic mulches for perennial beds.

A 2 to 3 inch (5 to 8 cm) layer of mulch is applied at planting. Additional mulch is added in early spring to maintain the desired mulch depth. A word of caution --- heavy mulches that hold moisture can be detrimental, particularly to plants subject to crown rot.

Cedar mulch can be the answer for winter protection in perennial flower beds, but be aware that there are right and wrong ways to use it. Incorrect usage may end up doing more harm than good.

• Apply cedar mulch after there's been 2-3 days of sustained freezing temperatures.
  
• Apply 4-5 inches (10 to 13 cm) of cedar mulch for winter protection.
  
• In early spring, begin gradually pulling back cedar mulch away from your perennials, so as not to suffocate them.
  

Premature mulching in fall gives rodents a better chance of making a home under your cedar mulch -- something you clearly don't want. Thus the recommendation to wait for the arrival of freezing temperatures in your area.

Also note that cedar mulch used for winter protection is treated differently than if you were using it summer for weed control. For the latter use, apply 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 7 cm). But for winter protection, double that thickness.

Cedar mulch and other organic landscaping mulches not only keep the ground warmer for plants in winter, but also reduce the chances of frost heaves, which can damage roots. So although there's work involved in using these mulches, the effort is worthwhile.

How to prepare the area that will receive the mulch for winter protection:

• Remove weeds and spent annuals.
  
• Remove diseased stems and foliage on perennials.
  
• Leave healthy stems and foliage on perennials.
  
• Dig up non-hardy bulbs for storage until next spring. Allow the bulbs to dry for a few hours in the sun before storing in a cool, dry place.