• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Frugal Gardening

Simple ways to save money while you garden

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Garden Frugally
  • Buy These
  • Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

You Need to Mulch Trees for the Winter: Here’s Why

December 23, 2019 by Steph Coelho Leave a Comment

Are you worried about your tree’s ability to withstand harsh winter weather? A bit of mulch might be your ticket to preserving new plant life in your garden.

Typically, mulching of trees is done in the fall, prior to freezing weather, in preparation for winter.

As we head deeper into the winter, there may still be time for folks in some regions to mulch and protect their trees.

It’s a little late for those in northern areas, but regardless of where you live, read on to learn more about winterizing trees with mulch and discover whether it’s necessary for your plants.

What is mulch?

Mulch is a protective layer of material placed around the base of a plant or tree. Examples of mulch materials include:

  • Leaf mold
  • Coco coir
  • Wood chips
  • Compost
  • Straw
  • Branches and pine needles

It’s also possible to use inorganic mulching materials like faux rubber wood chips, but these don’t break down and benefit the soil like organic options.

The most economical mulches are recycled materials like shredded fall leaves. Collect the leaves and reuse them for mulching for an environmentally friendly alternative to storebought mulch.

Purpose of mulch

There are a few benefits to using mulch in your garden and around your yard. Mulch is useful for:

  • Conserving moisture
  • Suppressing weed growth
  • Protecting root systems from cold weather

Over time, organic mulches also break down and help improve soil quality. Unlike inorganic substances, organic mulches also deliver added nutrients to the soil.

Using Mulch to Winterize Trees

A layer of mulch applied in the fall protects tree roots from rapidly changing temperatures by conserving soil warmth. Mulch is especially important if you’ve recently planted saplings as they’re more sensitive to temperature fluctuations than mature trees. Their root systems are also more vulnerable compared to root systems of the well-established plant life on your property. The insulation provided by mulch prevents roots from damage caused by soil expansion and compaction during freeze and thaw cycles in the winter.

When mulching trees for the winter, it’s essential to spread the right amount. Adding too much can suffocate a plant’s roots. Don’t pile it up around the trunk of a tree and avoid thick layers of mulch (2-3 inches should suffice).

Which trees do I need to mulch?

Trees and plant life that are native to your region don’t require mulching for winter protection. Don’t waste your time mulching the big maple tree in your backyard. It doesn’t need it. It’s well adapted to the climate and has already established itself.

Other native, hardy plants like certain types of rose bushes shouldn’t require winter protection either.

Some trees and bushes may benefit from winter cover, but not mulch.

Focus on mulching recently planted trees and shrubs. Young trees haven’t yet built up an established root system and benefit from a layer of cozy, insulating mulch.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Previous Post: « 5 Fun Hobbies to Keep You Busy This Winter
Next Post: A Wealth of Information: 4 Great Reasons to Order & Keep Seed Catalogs »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
  Thank you for Signing Up
Please correct the marked field(s) below.

1,true,6,Contact Email,21,false,1,First Name,21,false,1,Last Name,2

$30 Off your first cleaning when you sign up for a plan! (new customers only) Use code: AFF30OFF at Handy – Book Now!

Popular Posts

  • Vinegar Uses In GardenVinegar Uses In Garden by Steph Coelho 1. Clay Pot Cleaning: Vinegar will remove the white salt…
  • Troubleshooting the Seed Starting Process: Using Old SeedsTroubleshooting the Seed Starting Process: Using Old Seeds by Steph Coelho I'm typing this up on a gloomy day here in…
  • Garden For FreeGarden For Free by Steph Coelho Is it possible to have a lush flower garden, produce…
  • Frugal Container GardenFrugal Container Garden by Steph Coelho Pots and planters can be an expensive item if you're…
go with the flow gardening

Go With The Flow Gardening

Spring is here! I remember at this time last year, we were at the start of this pandemic and I was so excited to start the gardening season. It was too cold to start planting, but I had a ton of stuff started in my basement, and I was slowly starting to harden things off….

Read More

reasons why seeds don't germinate

10 Top Reasons Why Seeds Don’t Germinate

There are a lot of reasons why seeds don’t germinate. Knowing what can go wrong is the first step in solving the problem. If you’re struggling to start seeds this spring, here are a few things to look out for. Why Aren’t Seeds Germinating? Here are a few common reasons why seeds don’t germinate. It’s…

Read More

spring garden clean-up

How To Do A Spring Garden Clean-Up

It’s springtime! The season that signals to every gardener that it’s time to get started is here. In my neck of the woods, it’s also the ugliest time of year. I become tempted to start my spring garden clean-up right away,  but I know that soon the buds from my maple trees will fall and…

Read More

get free seeds from the government

How To Get Free Seeds From The Government

At first glance, seeds seem like a relatively inexpensive purchase. However, when buying several varieties, the cost can really add up quickly. A frugal gardener knows that there are plenty of ways to find seeds for cheap or free. Here’s how to get free seeds from the government. Getting Free Seeds From the Government The…

Read More

Footer

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework