Dignan The Soapmaker!



Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,716

Mulch. Just do it. My subjective, un-scientific experience has been that it's one of the most useful things I've learned in the past few years.



Mulch the top of your pots with bark fines and don't let your soil run wet-dry cycles. (This is where I fear my science gets iffy and I may stand to be corrected by the soil scientists in our wonderful Organics forum...) The highest populations of microbes are in the top few inches of soil, so if you allow that zone to get wet, then dry, then wet, then dry, you're killing off a good portion (and variety) of microbes each time that have to then re-establish themselves in the top layer when you water again. The mulch keeps that top layer of soil moist and thriving.



Mulch also makes watering thoroughly an easier job because it keeps the top layer from crusting over. How many of you are mulching the soil in your containers? In my opinion, it's a must. Though I'm open to being proven wrong.My subjective, un-scientific experience has been that it's one of the most useful things I've learned in the past few years.Mulch the top of your pots with bark fines and don't let your soil run wet-dry cycles. () The highest populations of microbes are in the top few inches of soil, so if you allow that zone to get wet, then dry, then wet, then dry, you're killing off a good portion (and variety) of microbes each time that have to then re-establish themselves in the top layer when you water again. The mulch keeps that top layer of soil moist and thriving.Mulch also makes watering thoroughly an easier job because it keeps the top layer from crusting over.

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