Seasonal mulching

When those warm Spring days finally arrive, it seems like the sun shines down like a spotlight on our unkempt yards and flower beds. It can be tempting to want to cover things up with mulch and make it look perfect right away, however it’s harmful to your yard when you mulch too early.

During the winter months, soil is exposed to freezing temperatures and needs to warm in the spring. If you mulch too early, the insulation could prevent the soil from fully warming and make it difficult for your plants to grow. Usually, mid to late spring is the best time to mulch. This is especially true in Oregon, where temperatures sometimes don’t consistently rise until mid-April. You can always spread a thin layer of mulch mid spring, let your plants have a good foundation, and then go back and add more mulch later.

If you have winter mulch in your garden, it is recommended to slowly remove it as the weather gets warmer. If you take it all away at once, it could expose your new growth and shock the plants if the weather suddenly becomes cold again.