Mulching is one of the most accessible and effective conservation practices available to small-scale and urban farmers.

Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Composted hardwood bark is an excellent mulch choice for the Northeast, while pine straw and pine fines are ...

Each year, those with a green thumb spread out mulch to protect their gardens, plants and trees. Mulch has lots of benefits for plants including keeping them warm, protecting moisture and preventing ...

Before winter closes in, do one last thing for all the trees, shrubs and other plants in your garden: Make sure they have a cozy layer of mulch over their roots. “Spread it flat and even, like a ...

Mice love a cozy, hidden spot, and a thick mulch layer can feel like a five-star winter rental. The good news is you don’t have to ditch mulch to make your beds less inviting. With a few small changes ...

People think of mulch as something that provides a unifying look to their garden beds, but that’s not the reason you need it. Mulch, when done right, provides an insulating layer that protects your ...

Mulch provides a variety of benefits for gardens, including weed control, temperature regulation, and moisture retention. Organic mulches, like compost and wood chips, decompose over time, enriching ...

Editor's note: Throughout the growing season, Mike Hogan, OSU Extension Educator for Agriculture & Natural Resources in Franklin County, will answer gardening questions submitted by Dispatch readers.

In Washington’s Skagit Valley, the beginning of summer is largely marked by the first ripe, red strawberry. Just off of State Route 20 headed west out of Burlington sits the Skagit Valley location of ...

Great mulches for winter include bark chips, shredded bark, straw, evergreen boughs and other loose, coarse-textured organic materials. (Rick Wetherbee) For many gardeners, mulch is as common place in ...