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   In nature, plants and decaying plant material blanket the ground. Nature desires to be covered, shaded, cooled, and protected. Like us, the soil thrives when it is not too hot; mulching can assist in achieving this.

   But can too much of a good thing become a bad thing? In Minnesota, we anticipate spring, hoping it warms the soil

so our desired plants can grow and flourish. In preparation

for winter, I blanket my garden in late fall with cool-season plants and leaf mulch to suppress the quack grass (a coolseason

perennial) from overtaking the entire area. I appreciate the produce from these cool-season plants and the soil benefits from being fed and covered. When spring arrives, the dead plant material and mulch help keep the quack grass in check. As the season unfolds and temperatures rise, the mulch I applied can act as an insulator, keeping the soil cooler than I would prefer.

Warm-season plants require warmer soil temperatures to

germinate and thrive. But wait! I want to keep the soil protected and healthy, so what’s the solution?

   This is a juggling act as I always want to protect the soil and feed the life in the system. When planting, pull back the mulch far enough to put the seeds in the ground

or transplants, and then apply a thin layer of mulch. If the

seeds are not germinating or the plants seem to be struggling, take more mulch off. Remember, we want to

protect the life in the soil. Growing plants is always about trying something and then adjusting to achieve our desired outcome. Don’t be afraid to try new things and share what you have found. We are all in this together. For more information contact Jim Etzel at (218) 252-3258 or www.earthisourhome.net.

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