How to Mulch and Plant Garden Flowers

Wood chip mulch is readily available at most garden centers.

Mulch improves the appearance of flower gardens, while also improving the health of the bed. A sufficient layer of mulch prevents the soil from drying out and stops most weeds from rooting in the bed. Mulch can also protect perennial plants during the winter months. Planting the flowers correctly, then applying mulch immediately allows you to take advantage of mulch benefits for the entire gardening season.

Things You'll Need

• Rake
• Trowel
• Seedlings
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Remove any weeds and rocks from the garden bed. Rake over the surface of the bed to level the soil and break up any large clods of dirt.

2. Dig planting holes to the same depth as the seedling pots the flowers are in. Make each hole twice as wide as the pot. Space the holes at the distance recommended on the plant labels.

3. Water the soil in the pots until the excess moisture drains from the bottom. Lift the flowers out of the pots and set them in the planting holes. Adjust the soil level under each plant so the crown of the plants, which is where the roots and stems meet, sits at the soil surface.

4. Fill in the planting holes with soil around the roots. Firm the soil lightly with your hands then water the bed until it is evenly moist to a 6-inch depth.

5. Spread a 2-inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark, over the flower bed. Pull the mulch away from the flowers stems slightly so there is a 1-inch gap between the mulch and the flowers. Do not cover the crown of the plants with mulch.

6. Work the mulch into the bed in fall if you are growing annual flowers. The mulch decomposes in the soil and helps improve its quality.

7. Leave the old mulch in place in perennial beds. Replenish it to a 4-inch depth after the first freeze kills back the plant foliage. The deeper mulch layer protects perennial flower roots from winter cold.

Tips & Warnings

• Straw can be used as a winter mulch in perennial beds, but must be removed and replaced with wood or bark in spring.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Flower Garden Care--Little Things Make a Big Difference
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Mulching for a Healthy Landscape