Question
I’m new to horticulture, but even so, I landscaped the front of my new house with a mixed bed of trees, shrubs and perennials. By choice, there’s no lawn or annuals. As these are young plants, I covered the ground with cocoa mulch to prevent weeds from growing. Is there a less expensive way to control weeds and fertilize the soil than cocoa mulch, while still looking good? What soil or soil preparation do you recommend for each spring?
Answer
Cocoa husks make an excellent mulch, but are admittedly rather expensive. For a more economical solution, autumn leaves shredded under the mower make an excellent mulch that’s very cheap (in fact, they’re free!) and very aesthetically pleasing. However, it’s a bit late to get them this year. A good compromise, attractive and inexpensive, is forest mulch or ramial chipped wood (RCW), offered by several companies. This type of mulch is not only affordable, but also effective in limiting weed growth and conserving soil moisture.
As for the “soil” to be laid in the spring, I don’t see why you should have to think about that. Your plants are in the ground and won’t like being disturbed by the addition of extra soil. In fact, as the mulch decomposes, it will enrich the soil and improve its structure. Simply renew the mulch as it begins to disappear to maintain an excellent yield.
Add Compost
However, to enrich the soil, you may wish to add 2 cm (1/2-1″) of compost (shrimp compost, seaweed compost, etc.) annually. Apply it on top of the mulch, or, for best results, temporarily spread the mulch, apply the compost, then replace the mulch. Rain and earthworms will wash the compost down into the soil, where it will improve soil fertility and structure.
Compost is a source of essential nutrients for your plants and contributes to better water retention. It also encourages beneficial microbial activity in the soil. By combining the use of mulch and compost, you ensure healthy, fertile soil, while keeping your flowerbed aesthetically pleasing and weed-free. If you produce your own compost and use mulch made from shredded leaves, you can save a lot of money.
Larry Hodgson published thousands of articles and 65 books over the course of his career, in both French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public. This text was originally published in Le Soleil on July 4, 2005.