Herbs don’t require mulching, however, many outdoor vegetables and plants do in the summer but there are both pros and cons to adding mulch around your plants. Mulching is a great way to retain moisture, cool the soil, and stop weeds simultaneously. Besides, it looks great.
There are several types of mulch to choose from, like woodchips, rubber mulch, dyed mulch, and even mushroom mulch. You will want to do some research to determine which kind of mulch is both abundant in your area and best for your plants. Typically, wood mulch is a reasonably safe bet.
And always remember to research your plant’s needs. If your plant doesn’t like wet feet (like thyme, mulching may not be a good thing.)
A word of caution: Always make sure you are not using chemically treated mulch when using it around crops you plan to ingest. You don’t want that stuff in your food.
Here are some bonus mulching tips
- Check with your city or county officials to see if they have stored wood chips from downed trees and limbs. You can sometimes get them for super cheap.
- Check with a local tree service to see if they would be willing to give you some of their wood chips for free. Often it saves them a trip to their dumping spots, which are few and far between.
- NEVER use black walnut to mulch around your plants. Walnut contains chemicals that can kill some plants.
- Don’t mulch in damp areas, or you may grow fungus rather than plants!
- Leave space between the base of the plant and the mulch instead of piling it up. This step can also help keep fungus and mold at bay.
Of course, if these rules become too difficult to remember, a beautifully potted herb plant looks great indoors and out.
