mulching the garden - Ask Extension
Its a fight beyween keeping the weeds downand providing homes for the bumble and other bees. I did mulch the garden with wood from the Indian Reservti...
Knowledgebase
mulching the garden #803766
Asked July 30, 2022, 2:35 PM EDT
Its a fight beyween keeping the weeds downand providing homes for the bumble and other bees. I did mulch the garden with wood from the Indian Reservtion. But now I know this is not the best thing to do. I assume the much will at asome point decompose and be less caustic to bees. Is there any mulch that is less offensive? I am allowing Seedum to take over and am assuming this is ok for bees.
Scott County Minnesota
Expert Response
Leaves, sticks, grass clippings, and plant debris can work as an organic mulch to keep weeds down, but still allow for pollinators. This type of mulch usually disintegrates within a year and is a good solution for bees. Another option for doing away completely with mulch is sowing a ground cover plant.
In general, use less mulch and leave open bare ground whenever possible. Not all areas need to be mulch-free. Certain locations that aren't often seen would lend themselves to a patch of bare ground. In any case, avoid cedar mulch, because its odor repels pollinators.
For more information, see:
https://www.housedigest.com/887024/which-mulch-is-good-for-pollinators/?utm_campaign=cli
In general, use less mulch and leave open bare ground whenever possible. Not all areas need to be mulch-free. Certain locations that aren't often seen would lend themselves to a patch of bare ground. In any case, avoid cedar mulch, because its odor repels pollinators.
For more information, see:
https://www.housedigest.com/887024/which-mulch-is-good-for-pollinators/?utm_campaign=cli
