There are many benefits to mulching the newly planted tree or shrub with organic matter. It smothers the ground, preventing weed seeds from germinating and getting established. It also prevents water evaporation from the soil, helping to conserve soil moisture. As it is incorporated into the ground by soil living creatures, such as earthworms, it helps improve the soil structure and releases valuable plant nutrients as it decomposes. Mulch also helps to insulate the soil from excessive heat in summer and sold in winter. A wide range of materials can be used for mulching. Apply a 3 inches deep layer around new plants and top up to this layer each spring thereafter.
Around established shrubs and trees you can use grass clippings as free organic mulch. Although some nitrogen is removed from the soil by micro organisms as the clippings are broken down, only the very surface layer is affected. Limiting weed growth is important in the first few years but is less so as the canopy fills out. Keep all weeds under control during the early years. Use a hoe shallowly around each plant to avoid damaging the roots and hand weed near shallow rooted plants, such as azaleas, as well as trees and shrubs, such as lilac, that are prone to suckering if they suffer root damage. weed near me
If a weed gets established, use a chemical spot weed killer to deal with it. A severe winter storm can cause considerable damage to trees and shrubs, sometimes breaking whole branches. If your garden is exposed you should consider erecting some sort of windbreak. In the short term this can be a special plastic windbreaker, but in the longer term it is probably better to create a more permanent solution by planting a living windbreak. A number of trees and shrubs can be used for this, and it should be fairly easy to find one that fits seamlessly into your garden design.
Leyland cypress grows very fast, and, for this reason, they are often used as windbreaks, but are best avoided for more suitable alternatives. They are thirsty, hungry plants that take a lot of nutrients from the soil for some distance around the roots. They also continue to grow rapidly past they required height. As its name suggests, buckthorn is tolerant of strong, salt laden winds and can be planted as a windbreak to protect frailer plants. Its long, silvery green leaves, yellow flowers and orange berries are all decorative in their own right.
