It's all about the mulch
- SallyAnn Lenehan
- Oct 10, 2017
- 2 min read
Fallen leaves are the precursors to leaf mould -- a fantastic winter mulch for the garden
It's time to get our gardens ready for the cold, wet winter months ahead. One of the best ways to prepare the ground for winter is by using a mulch to cover the soil. There are many organic materials that can be used as mulch such as well rotted manure, compost, sea weed or leaf mould.
Soil needs to rest during the winter months while earthworms and soil microbes work organic material deep into the soil. The less you do to your soil over the winter the better.
Organic mulches can protect soil from compaction and erosion caused by heavy winter rain while maintaining the soil's nutrient content. A thick winter mulch will protect overwintering plants and help soil retain moisture by decreasing evaporation and absorbing rainwater.
Before applying any mulch weed the area well. The mulch can block sunlight from weed seeds that remain in the soil helping to keep weeds down the following growing season.
One of the beds in Sally's Garden ready for mulching
Here at Liss Ard we are surrounded by broad leaf trees in the estate's private woodland. There is an abundance of the raw material needed to create leaf mould. Simple to make, it is well worth the wait for this wonderful soil conditioner. The easiest way to create leaf mould is to make piles of leaves using a spring rake. Place the leaves in a sheltered spot watering them if the leaves are very dry to aide the process whilst ensure they do not blow away, Leave the pile to break down for at least a year, 18 months is better. Alternatively fill black plastic bags about 3/4 full with the leaves. Puncture holes into the bags to let moisture and air in to aid the decomposing process.
Leaf mould helps build healthy soil in several ways, improving soil texture, creating air in the soil, improving the ability of plants to absorb moisture and aiding root development of plants. It's a favorite with earth worms, which convert the leaf matter into nutrient rich castings distributed throughout the soil.
So get out there and get raking up your autumn leaves for next year's leaf mould, and enjoy the beautiful russet tones of autumn while they last.
It's not just the leaves bringing autumn colour to Sally's Garden... the chard is looking vibrant!
Liss Ard estate has limited room availability for the month of October. Still time to enjoy the acres of tranquil woodland and West Cork scenery this autumn.
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