Most gardeners have heard that spring is the time to mulch, however, I will let you in on a little secret: winter mulching is just as important as spring mulching. When you put mulch on to the top of soil you will aid the growth of the plants and flowers in your garden. Mulch also helps protect the plants from the elements too and acts as a barrier between the air and the soil, trapping moisture and liquid which will help the plants feed and grow.

Laying some mulch will lay the foundations and help generate the right conditions for the plant to thrive. Using mulch that is made from wood chips like a small bark that you can find at a garden center and nursery doesn’t only help the plant but is also a great looking addition to any garden because it really brings the flower beds to life and makes the colors of the plants and flowers really stand out.

Mulch will save time and money because it improves low quality soils by adding organic matter and nutrients. We know that plants grown in good soil are healthier and have greater resistance to diseases and insects. By greatly reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers you save money. In addition if its veggie plants you’re growing you’re saving money on your grocery bill as well.

Just because it is winter doesn’t mean we can let our garden grow. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful area that we can garden year round. If you have any questions about mulch never hesitate to go to your local garden center or nursery.

Here are some tips from about planting this fall:

Make sure the site you pick to plant will accommodate the plant after it has matured. Dig the planting hole two to three times wider, and about as deep as the root ball.

After placing the plant in the hole, refill it with the soil you initially removed. We would recommend using a B1 master start and also amending the soil, usually with Bumper Crop.

Why is fall planting so good for plants? In the fall, the warm soil encourages root growth. Roots continue to grow through the winter since in the Central Coast we do not have harsh winters.

In early spring roots begin new growth or continue to develop at a faster rate and top growth begins. While the same tree planted in spring gets a slow start due to cool soils the fall-planted trees become well established.

When summer finally arrives the fall-planted plants will be far better equipped to deal with heat and drought largely due to its well-established root system.

Of course, there are plenty of other good reasons to plant in the fall, too, such as dependable rainfall, cooler weather and fewer pest or disease problems. With these reasons one should love fall as much as I do.

Happy Planting!

This blog will have many things:

1. It will go through my first time urban gardening experiences. I will tell you my gardening victories and my failures with the knowledge that I have gained as a nursery assistant manager plus some insight from plant expert Steve McShane himself.

2. We will be having guest gardener spots where different gardeners will write about their gardening experience and tips.

3. Just plain fun. So if you are excited please read on…..

As a Californian by birth I have seen great gardens all over. Gardening was always a very “hip” thing to do, yet my family was never really into it therefore when I got a job at a local nursery after I received my B.A my parents were a bit confused. However, being the lovely parents that they are, they were just proud of me for going out into the work force.

As we can see the economy is not what it used to be, and being a young adult at this time I see my generation struggling even more. Now more than ever people my age are moving back home. Good news for my parents is that I have not had to do that but I do see the grocery bill get more and more expensive every time I go to shop. It is therefore my edible garden that is going to be in full effect very soon.

If there is one thing I have learned from being in the garden business for the past year is that soil is everything. Pre-garden experience Morgan would have thought that putting the tomato plants in the soil in my backyard and just watering would create Roma tomatoes like the ones at Safeway. Unfortunately, that is not how it works.

The micro nutrients in soil feeds the plants, makes them strong, and in edible gardening it helps them produce great veggies and herbs. The soil in my backyard has lots of clay and is not very good therefore I am going to prep my soil with some great organic fertilizers and soil conditioner.

Bumper crop is a blend of composted fir bark, forest humus fortified, and chicken manure. This stuff is amazing and it comes in 2 cubic feet sized bags that are a perfect size for my small backyard. I am also going to add mycorrhiza, which is a fungus. Pound for pound mycorrhiza provides plants with the greatest possible benefit for the smallest amount of input. This great organic fungus will make my edible garden produce great veggies and herbs.

Remember that soil is what makes or breaks a great garden. To find out about more organic products for your garden you can always go to our Library of garden advice.

If you would like to be a guest gardener please e-mail me at sp@mcshanesnursery.com!!!