The picture below doesn’t look like much but, I am very proud of my progress mulching my flower beds. Last weekend, I hauled in fourteen bags of mulch to put on my Dahlia bed.  Gasp! Why did I mulch you ask?

The advantages of mulch are that it provides weed control, beautifies the garden bed and maintains a consistent ground temperature throughout the summer and winter. In addition, it prevents water loss due to evaporation.

I mulched this bed last year and it took me less than hour to weed it- yea!!  I put stakes at the spots where Dahlias will grow and pushed the mulch aside so they have an easier time growing.  I regularly look for hot deals on garden mulch and have found reasonable prices at Lowes and QFC.

Until next time, happy mulching, weeding, mowing, planting or whatever task you’re combating in the garden this weekend!

*For additional information on Mulch consider the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulch

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/mulching.html