Page 55 - September 2022 Magazine - Bumper Edition

Garden Allotment Q&A
Thank you, everyone that sent in your questions. What is Mulching?
Mulching is generally used in saving water, surpress those pesky weeds and improve your soil around your plants and flowers. It also spruces up your beds and will reduce the time spent getting rid of those weeds and watering your plants.
Mulching will help retain your soils moisture in the Summer and rain penetrating your soil in the Winter months, preventing those weeds from growing, and protecting your plants roots.
Make sure your mulches are not in direct contact with the stems and roots of your trees or shrubs, as they can cause the stem to soften up and open them to diseases.
Make sure it is of good quality or you could do the opposite of what you are trying to achieve as it will increase your weed problem, and introduce pests. If you use cheap and cheerful woodchip there is also a risk of introducing honey fungus, which will attack and kill the roots of many perennial and woody plants.
Once you have added apply extra water to reach the roots of the plants beneath, thereafter you should find you need to water your plants less frequently.
Should I feed my plants?
If you have an indoor garden with pots, it is advisable to feed them, as the soil and plants within those pots will only have what you give them, as they are confined.
Outdoor plants, if the soil is good, should be able to use the resources of the soil to thrive, so may not need feeding at all, but it would not hurt to put down a slow release fertiliser to all your plants in Spring. Do check your plant beforehand, and have a read up to make sure it likes it. Bedding plants, fruit and veg could benefit from the a regular feed.
If you are getting poor growth from your plants and
shrubs, don't automatically blame the soil. There could be other forces at play here, such as hot weather, causing a drought, or they are to wet, or damaged by the weather. Pests and diseases can also be present and responsible. So check all these factors before looking at the soil to diagnose the problem.
The Flickering Cauldron® Magazine - Flickering Magical Garden | 55