Gardening: Use mulch to help deter weeds

All the weather has paid off this year. We had just enough rain, just enough snow and just enough sunshine to create a beautiful spring. “April showers will bring May flowers” is so true this year!

For the first time in a couple of years the daffodils are blooming at just the right time, the lilacs are budding out and the forsythia are almost popping. We are halfway through April and the plants are almost as busy as the insects. Make sure you look up and around you to see the new greens, bright yellows and colorful crocus. We are so spoiled in the Midwest to enjoy this seasonal change.

Along with the wonderful signs of spring, there are many weeds creeping into gardens. We are staying busy digging and pruning. The days are perfect for raking out old leaves from your gardens, and under the leaves are the pesty weeds growing. After cleaning up the weeds and old growth a good layer of mulch makes for a perfect framing for the blooming and growing of your flowers. The mulch does suppress weeds and retain water. There are several different kinds of mulch, be creative with color and texture of your mulching. One common solution for under evergreens is using pine straw, it is a natural looking and simply adds to what is already laying on the ground.

Enjoy the spring! Direct all your garden questions to gardensbykathy.com. I love to read about all your gardens.

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