An Affordable Way To Prevent Weeds From Peeking Through The Mulch In Your Garden Beds

One of the main reasons you use mulch in your yard and garden is to stop weeds from growing. However, simply applying mulch and leaving it to do its own thing isn't a surefire way to keep unwanted plants out of your yard. It can be annoying to see weed seedlings crop up and take over your garden, but by adding a few changes to your gardening routine, you can keep weeds out of mulch in an affordable way. No need to hit the shops and buy expensive gardening products here! All you need is some time and patience (and a little understanding about how mulching works).

Mulching stops weeds from growing by smothering existing plants and preventing seed germination. This means that the mulch you apply to your garden beds needs to be deep enough to do this. You also need to continue to care for your mulch throughout the seasons by cleaning and clearing it and topping it up when necessary. Organic mulch will break down over time, making it easier for seedlings to sprout. So, by replenishing the mulch regularly, you can stay on top of weeds. 

Maintaining mulch for weed suppression starts before you even put the mulch down on your garden beds. If you are using compost DIY mulch you have made from ingredients, it is important to ensure that weed seeds are destroyed before adding the prepared compost to your yard. This means you need to maintain your compost pile and turn it regularly to keep temperatures around 130 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. These higher temperatures will kill weed seeds.  If you are using other types of mulch, make sure that no weed seedlings are able to get in before putting it down. When you put the mulch on your garden beds, you need to weed the area first before applying 3 to 4 inches of mulch. 

Once your mulch is down, make sure you are checking it regularly for any weed seedlings. If any pop up, remove them by hand and add a new layer of fresh mulch to the area. You should also regularly add more mulch to maintain a depth of 3 to 4 inches, regardless of whether any weeds are showing. When adding new mulch to your garden bed, turn the original mulch by hand to help the mulch layers mix together. By maintaining the mulch on your garden beds and hand-picking any seedlings that emerge, you can get rid of weeds in your garden and ensure it stays looking healthy and happy.