I have always been in search of a gardening channel that explains things and shares the same garden zone. Yours is the perfect fit! Love your channel!! Thank you for all the hard work you put into it! - Carmen in northern Indiana!
I have to THANK YOU Jenna! Starting a NEW garden spot in a home just moved to. Didn't want to go buy expensive colored mulch at a local landscaper, Hundreds$$$ delivered - I'm also in Ohio, county road crews are out cleaning out overgrown roadsides. They were right across road from my place with HUGE wood chipper & dump truck chips going into. Bravely asked the guys "where do you take those chips?" I got them to GIVE THEM to me - helps them, helps me - they'll dump right next to my compost pile. So NOW I'll have probably all I need for new garden. Looked into that free service you talked about, but was worried I'd end up with 20-40 yards and didn't need/want that. This will probably be 8 yards worth of mixed hardwoods, shrubs/bushes. So glad I asked.
U saved me! I dumped full leaves on my garden beds last fall. I kind of knew that wasn’t a good thing, so I WAS going to till them in my beds! Now I know I need to remove them, chop them up and let them decompose (out of my garden beds) before using!!! Thank you!!! Whew!
Mulch is magical. One of my "learning moments" in the garden was when I deeply mulched (with straw) a raised-bed strawberry patch in the fall. It was a particularly warm spring, and I planted my tomato and pepper seedings in mid-May. It was the first week in June when I realized I saw nothing appearing in my strawberry bed. I decided to investigate and remove the mulch to see what was going on. Wow! The soil was still frozen solid! Great practical lesson! Until that time, I had never realized the insulating properties of mulch.
I'm glad you mentioned the slug problem. Too many mulch advocates ignore it. Thankfully my family has found that slugs dislike pine needles. My sister is lucky enough to have lots of pines and the slugs leave her needle-mulched garden alone. She also hasn't noticed any problem with acidification, which some folks worry about with pine needles. Also, I like that your leaf mold is in a heap instead of in bags. For all that's said about plastic not being biodegradable, the reality is that the bags decompose faster than the leaves do and leave you with a heap of leaves on the ground anyway.
I've been using shredded brown cardboard mulch in my vegetable garden for years, and i love it. Along with all the plant and soil benefits, it's free except for some of my time in non-gardening months. The I generally use shredded leaves and grass in my compost pile. In the fall, I'll top dress with a few inches of compost, then cover that with three inches of cardboard mulch. Come spring, I just move the much aside to plant. Both the compost and cardboard have been incorporated into the soil by the next fall. Anything left, I just cover with another layer of compost and mulch.
OK OK ❤ I can do that. First time community garden. I just removed straw from raised beds. Told it's not good. Either tarp or mulch will do. So I use cardboard instead. Any suggestions. Excited for spring. growing
I recently discovered the joy of having *FREE* mulch, aka chopped leaves, and I'm so glad I did! My husband was skeptical. But I insisted. I covered my garlic bed with them last fall, and we covered the in-ground garden with them. My husband made two piles: one in the back of the yard next to the compost pile, and another close to the house. Very convenient. We've been adding them to the compost in layers with earthworm castings. Also, I've heard of people using the leaves for bedding for chickens and such. I first heard of this when I watched a video titled: "I prayed for fertility. God gave me leaves." It was eye-opening, and your video confirmed my choice. Thank you.
This is so good! I actually JUST (30 minutes ago) put a bed of whole leaves over my harvested Yacon plant for frost prevention so it can regrow next year. Now I understand that I need to shred them.
This is my first time watching one of your videos and I must say you have one of the best voices! So clear and soothing to listen to with great content. Thanks for what you do!
You are superb. A garden enthusiast from India in Uk. I collected fallen leaves from street using a mower last year and used straight away to my small orchard to suppress weeds and to increase water retention properties with a top layer of wood barks got from a Gardner for free.
A couple points. Almost anything left on the surface does very little to the soil underneath. You can sprinkle the area with blood meal where you're going to put wood chips if you're concerned. It can help the biology of the soil though over time as should be well understood. I think a better idea if you have plenty of grass and leaves, or greens and browns is to go ahead and make compost in a hot pile. When you mix that up or turn it you can remove what you want for the most part to use as mulch with the added benefit of getting you to compost that's healthier than just broken down leaf which is really more like leaf mold instead of compost, or using grass clippings which CAN be problematic. That doesn't mean it will be but it can be, and it's because of being high in nitrogen. A caveat to making a hot compost pile is you can't simply make a huge pile of leaves that spreads out because you don't want a really large reactive area that's getting hot. So in the case of a person having a large amount of leaves then maybe a good idea is to do both a large pile of leaves to make more of a leaf mold material, which is really better for woody perennials and do a hot compost pile with some of the leafs which makes a material better for the garden and you can use it at different stages. On the other hand those nice tall cover crops after drying out a bit make an excellent mulch.
My favorite is leaves, Maple leaves specifically. I live in a town that has small leaf maples lining the streets. Leaves are plentiful and driving around on a couple of garbage days in the fall gives me 20-30 bags of leaves with no work gathering them into bags. They tend to break down fast even if they are not chopped up.
@@dustyflats3832 I also have 100 yo oaks and I use the leaves for mulching shrubs. Blackberries, currants. They work great and sooner or later they decompose anyway
Yes!! ..Breaking leaves down before piling them for a future compost pile is important. Otherwise it takes three years before the leaves are completely composted. ..Maple leaves are the very best for composting.
Thank you for all your advice. I have just had an argument with my wife as she doesn't like me putting broken down leaves onto the garden. She said it is only for helping the type of soil and doesn't add anything to the soil and also that it hides slugs ans snails who eat the plants. After listening to this I am more inclined to stick to my guns but for the sake of a good marriage I have to find that place of love which is more difficult than the science of gardening.
I realise you gave the answer towards the end of your podcast in that I should leave the mulching until it get a bit warmer as the pests hide under the wet mulch and love it there. So I will clear off the leaves as she wanted but put them back on when it is warmer but also break them down a bit with the lawnmower. Thank you. You may have saved my marriage. Ha Ha. It appears you don't have that problem with no wedding ring.
Amazing info on mulching Mrs. Jenna. So happy so see you are doing so good with your channel. Got my garden up and rolling now. Remember to not forget us small guys out here. Stay safe my friend!
I'm so glad to hear from you CB-- and can't wait to check out the last couple of videos. RUclips has done it again-- not sending notifications even when I asked for them and I totally missed your start of the 2023 garden season video!!
This was a master class which encouraged me to start a new gardening playlist…. masterclass gardening. I will transfer some of my most important videos to this playlist. Intelligence is a most beautiful virtue, Thanks for sharing!
All the tips below I got from sharing with local gardeners, they are your best friends! I call leaf companies in the fall and give them my address so they can dump the leaves for free. Also discovered a golf club community that rakes all leaves in the community up, puts them in huge piles to make leaf mold and then gives that away for free! Local saw mill gives away thier waste saw dust and wood chips for free, Lastly the county dump hires a giant grinder tub company to mulch up all the branches and tree logs they get and also gives that away for free.
Love your videos Jenna. Thanks! I’m mulching with uncut, large leaves this year… rhubarb, comfrey and dock mostly. I simply lay a couple of layers face down over any bare soil and up to an inch or two away from plant stems. I did a trial last year on a small patch and liked the result, so fingers crossed for the whole garden.
Hello Jenna. Here in Akron and getting back into gardening during retirement. My would in all sand and used chips and shredded paper, boxes, a and leaves that have bulked up the soil. The inked boxes and paper go around on one tap plants and they thrive just fine. Thanks for being a Buckeye.
I play a little game when I watch your videos. I try to see if there is anything I can add to your presentation. Almost all the time you are so complete in your coverage of the topic there is nothing I can add. Once again that is the case. Our big mower has been broken down and when last I did get to use it the grass was so high that it left huge areas of cut grass laying on the lawn. I got my cousin's 10 year old to work with me raking it all up and putting it on my garden. But after watching this I think I will get out my awesome electric mower and put the bag on and collect up some more grass. Exercise and mulch at the same time. lol
That's a good game- it will keep my on my toes to try to make sure I cover everything! Sounds like a good job for a 10 year old! And that's kind of the way I look at push-mowing. Instead of wasting money to walk on a treadmill in a gym, I can do it for free, add resistance and get free mulch out of the deal 😆
great job! you are a born teacher! by the way -thank you for knowing how to use adverbs in your sentences - most media presenters do not use adverbs correctly!
Crimson clover you recommended and I'm in Columbus OH and love it. Question? If I save the flowers... I'm hopefully will be able to use as seeds this fall I'm using in my garden walk ways. ..." Mulch volcano ". Lady you just described Grove City Ohio.. They have mulch volcanoes on everything.Mulch volcano land it is. Just thanks for the many improvements you have helped me. You need to improve my cooking again let's get cooking..
Just found your channel. Geez, you got great audio and I dont see a lavalier mic on you. How did you do that? Also your delivery is clear,, well-spoken. You should have your own tv show. I am with you on the mulch!
I do the same thing. I slope any remaining dirt into a bowl type container around new bushes or trees T direct any water back towards the bush or tree. I then cover the bowl with mulch so rain will not wash it away. If the bush or tree has a spiral trunk protector around its trunk then I spread the mulch all the way up to the protector. If not, I pull it several inches away from the bush or tree.
Thank you for a great info on mulching Jenna. I am with a comunity of gardener so 1/3 of the garden supposed to be grass and I use grass clipping as mulch for my vegetation area.
I normally watch youtube videos at 1.5 speed. I always watch your videos at I.0 speed...I don't want to miss any nuggets of info. I agree totally with leaf mulch/grass clippings as my #1 mulches. I also find that aged chicken manure (1 year old) is magnificent for flowers. (don't apply until in smells 'normal') Thank you so much. Craig
Hi, I live in a small condo with a tiny piece of land in the front and a bit bigger piece in the backyard. This past fall I put a thin layer of straw on all my small garden areas and this spring the flowers and chives did really well! I think it gave some nice protection from the snow and a bit of salt (on the edges from the condo maintenance). There must be some really good nutrients in this straw, as I bought it from a farmer. The only downside is it attracts critters like mice and voles etc. But I may still do it again this fall unless someone from the condo complex complains.
I'm clearing areas in my last fall leave mulched areas to plant in? Didn't get good germination of sunflower seeds. On a learning curve with this one. Thanks for your video!
Right to the point and concise, video full of great information, greatly appreciated. Greetings from another farmer all the way in Colombia, South America. God bless you farmer! (in my book the greatest title on earth)
Wow! What great value, content and amazing tips. And a lovely presentational style. A whole package of goodies and goodness. Lol. Thanks lots. We appreciate your hard work and sharing of your knowledge and wisdom 🌿
Great show girl!!! I'm a leaf mulcher myself. It's what I have. I did use a lot of wood wood chips last year. Work the leaves around seed planting but still worth the weed control.
I’m mulching with mushroom compost this year because it wasn’t as finished as I wanted so I’m not mixing it in this year. Just laying on top of a layer of finished compost and it’s working great!
Just came across your channel today! Very impressed at how much information you shared in this great video and made it so easy to understand! I'm a 1st year gardener in MI, Z6b, with just perennial plants in my yard. I'm weed whipping all my leaves into mulch, I have a nice pile going atm. I've also collected plain cardboard to lay around the plants. I get a lot of various weeds where the plants are, and my soil is dry and sandy with clay, so that's why I'm going the leaf mulch and cardboard route, hoping to enrich tge soil and for weed suppression. Was told to lay the cardboard first then cover with the mulch. Sound right to you? I'm worried about slugs and snails tho, I had a lot of trouble with them on my perennials this year. Tysm for this fantastic video!
Your garden is really big and beautiful! I loved the drone footage for scale. I used pine bark chunks this year as I just barely got the garden built before growing season started. I am collecting shredded leaves and grass clippings in a geo-bin to use hopefully in the fall. I also got a tumbling compost bin for kitchen scraps. My garden is probably about 165 square feet of actual growing space in raised beds along with a tiny fruit orchard in containers and flowers in pots and window boxes. Tiny patio garden. This was very informative and useful even for a tiny space. Thank you!
Pine bark doesn't maintain moisture as well as regular woodchips and doesn't break down to feed the soil nutrients quite as quickly, but some people actually prefer that, because it will definitely last a lot longer than woodchips or shredded wood.
I just found your video on RUclips. This is amazingly educational! Very informative and factual! You have done an excellent job of explaining all of the ins and outs of garden mulching. Thank you so much! I look forward to learning from more videos that you have put together so thoughtfully for those of us who are still learning the best way to garden in our climate, soil composition, and what we need to know to reach our goal more successfully in our own gardens. Thank you so much!
I did notice when using straw this last year, that there were many 'sprouts' of seedlings popping up in my raised beds and in-ground beds. But, the nice thing is, I didn't have to struggle to pop them out- it was easier to remove them than my 'usual culprits' that show up. I am going to try to switch to alfalfa hay and see if there is any difference. Thank you for your informative videos and helping me grow more skills to make my raised and in-ground beds better and healthier!
As usual, Great Video Jenna! For the last 30 years, I let the growth between rows grow, weeds, planted cover, etc, then mulch mow it down, let is sit a few days and rake it into the beds. Of course cut down any undesirables like thistle, broadleaf, etc before seed. Saves allot of labor, moving stuff around. Same with shredded leaves, dump them in the walk way with the mowed weeds/cover to rot down, then rake into row.
@@GrowfullywithJenna Necessity is the mother, (or is a muther)... I'm old... This is how I mulch strawberries, grow cover/tall grass on the non sun side of the rows, then use a whacker, single cut down low to leave the biomass whole. I'm going to shallow till this year and try that Jonnies mix and see if it summer/fall kills (trying to eliminate another step). On the veg rows, they have been mulched for so long that I haven't watered in years.
This was a very helpful video for me! We moved into a new (to us) home last summer that had huge, totally bare front flower beds. At the start of fall I weeded and mulched them heavily with native hardwood mulch. This spring I’ve found almost everything that I plant in those beds looks stunted and unhealthy. I’m thinking it’s because of the nitrogen getting tied up by the mulch, as you described. Another mulch related video I’d love to see that I’ve never heard talked about anywhere - when you have reseeding annuals, when do you mulch so that you aren’t smothering out the annuals, but still suppressing some weeds and retaining moisture??
I've found that if I mulch with grass clippings very early in the season, self-seeding annuals still pop up the next year. I think by the time they drop seed, the grass has broken down enough that it doesn't inhibit them.
I would agree. Mulch is a game changer! I actually dig a trench in the middle of each bed and fill it with my leaves in the fall, along with throwing alfalfa pellets a few times on the beds. Then come planting time ill use a wood shavings mulch around the plants. Seems to work out pretty good. Used to have low nitrogen issues and I dont anymore so that awesome. Great videos as always.
Excellent video on mulching! I was going to buy straw for my raised beds, but now I’m going to save loads of money by using grass clippings and decomposed leaves for mulching. Thank you!
I'm so glad I finally found a gardener in my climate zone! I’m in a newer subdivision in northwest Indiana that does not have many mature trees. (and nothing but clay!) Because of the young trees the wind is relentless. I am having issues keeping my mulch in place. It’s either blowing away or washing away. Any suggestions? Thanks for the vid! (I’m very jealous of all those amazing leaves you have access too!)
I have been using leaf mulch and grass clippings for 35 years. My township sucks up the fallen leaves in the fall and composts then over the winter Residents can then pick up the compost in the spring. I like unchopped leaves in the paths only because they do matt down. I put wood ash down to repel slugs
I go for the free side of the mulch. Leaves are plentiful, I pick up straw after Halloween, and lawn clippings from my lawn (about 6-8 bags at least once a week), I only use from my property as I know what chemicals have been used. The straw is used in between rows.
Excellent synopsis--thank you! I use a mix of leaves and grass clippings in my beds over winter. In the spring, I aerate it a bit before planting crops. It lasts as a mulch for most of the growing season. It has also improved the texture of my clay-heavy soil over the years.
@@voss_homestead.oh.chapter yes, we use a bagger on the mower in the fall, which chops everything up nicely. We let the grass get extra long after the leaves have fallen and mow them together. It’s perfect.
Since I put trunk protectors on my new apple trees I was able to run the mulch all the way up to the trunk protectors. As they get bigger I will remove the trunk protectors and pull the mulch away from the trunk. I used Scotts Red Mulch, a wood chip mulch. I live in. Low Ph rea, naturally about 4.5, so lime is very important. I lime my yard twice during the year - Spring and Fall at a setting of 7 on my Scotts rotary spreader. If I do not do this, I get sticks for bushes and no grass, unless it it is crab grass. I have my yard pretty well stabilized at 6.5-7.0, now. It is still short on organic matter but I am working on it. It is primarily sand with a clay underlayment about a foot under ground. Water permeates through it, like crap through a goose. I aerate my soil at lest once a year, sometimes more, with my Mantis tiller. If water starts to stand in areas or run off, I Aerate it. FYI, I have a granite quarry a few miles from my house. If that tells you my problem with soil Ph.
@@GrowfullywithJenna yes, I live in an area with the worst soil that I have experienced. You can drive an old lawnmower blade in the ground and within a few years it will rust off at ground level. When I first moved here 17 years ago, I planted the plants that I had at my former home in South Georgia. Within. Few months all I had was a yard full of dead sticks. I have to lime my yard biannually to keep my azaleas, roses, and grass alive.
I’m a bit jealous 😄. I’d like to grow alfalfa for myself on a larger scale- I’ve got the space, just have to figure out the most efficient way to hand- harvest!
Hi Jenna, I see your garden is fenced in. Can you tell us what size garden you have? Also, loved the overhead view of your garden. However, it was a very short glimpse, because it mostly caught the trees on what I’m guessing is the north end of your garden. Would love an overhead view that can be paused. Could you do a slide where you point out which way is north south east west. And potentially what you have planted? That way we see the orientation and how much space each item is taking.
I live in a high desert climate in Utah. The only way to keep moisture in our soil is mulch. I love woodchips on top. It works amazing in my very dry climate. Thanks for a great video
Great video. I use grass clippings from my lawn and year old wood chips that have partially broken down in my veg beds. On the paths, I use fresh wood chips, but going to add the cardboard from now on. Hadn’t thought of that. Going to look into green manures, like the sound of that. Thanks for advice.
Perfect timing on this video. I was just looking for more mulch ideas. I have had good luck with fine pine shavings. Let me know if this is ok. I do have a ton of slugs and catterpillers here in the Florida panhandle. With that , the hot sun dries everything out fast.
Good morning Jenna from Australia!! I use grass clippings, tree fern fronds (chopped up), small branches chopped with veggie scraps from the kitchen for my compost. For garden cover, I normally use sugar cane mulch which is cheap and is very beneficial for my raised beds. My beds are set up using hügelkultur in the base of the bed then I run with permaculture for the top half of the bed then the mulch on top. Around my beds is lawn which is cut and harvested for the compost heap, so the only things that go out in my green waste bin is weeds and rose clippings. Have a great day Jenna XX
Good for warm climates . We got tons of rain last year which caused some people to get root rot . Mine didn’t because my soil depth is deep and drains well
Tengo entendido que el uso de chips de madera crea desequilibrio en el suelo, pues habrá más hongos que bacterias para lograr descomponer esa madera. Yo arruine una huerta al agregar aserrín de madera, se veía hermosa pero después no me creció nada. Los forraje ricos en selulosa son mejores que los ricos en lignina que está precente en árboles adultos. Saludos desde Costa Rica.
I actually can get plenty of cardboard at work as needed and Chip Drop brings me free fresh wood mulch. We reworked a few beds and had to go into old walkways, where we found the best soil under a thin layer of wood mulch from last year.
Mulch is a must in Australia we simply don't get enough rain to not mulch. Where I am averages 12 to 14in of rain per year. We have mostly converted to sugercane mulch as it has no weed seed at all.
I love watching you and I learn so much. Can I use clean animal bedding as mulch in my raised beds? Our lawn is treated chemically so I cannot use grass clippings. Thanks
First off, thank you for all of this useful information. I love how you explained everything. I live in Virginia and just started my garden this year. I would like to start using my grass that my son cuts as much in my garden. My husband had applied some grass food and weed killer to it more than a month ago but the grass has been cut at least twice since then. Is it safe to use at this point?
This is the best vegetable gardening channel on RUclips
Wow, thank you!
I have always been in search of a gardening channel that explains things and shares the same garden zone. Yours is the perfect fit! Love your channel!! Thank you for all the hard work you put into it! - Carmen in northern Indiana!
Wow, thank you, Carmen!
I have to THANK YOU Jenna! Starting a NEW garden spot in a home just moved to. Didn't want to go buy expensive colored mulch at a local landscaper, Hundreds$$$ delivered - I'm also in Ohio, county road crews are out cleaning out overgrown roadsides. They were right across road from my place with HUGE wood chipper & dump truck chips going into. Bravely asked the guys "where do you take those chips?" I got them to GIVE THEM to me - helps them, helps me - they'll dump right next to my compost pile. So NOW I'll have probably all I need for new garden. Looked into that free service you talked about, but was worried I'd end up with 20-40 yards and didn't need/want that. This will probably be 8 yards worth of mixed hardwoods, shrubs/bushes. So glad I asked.
That's awesome!!
I'm agreed with leaves and grass clippings but I have a mulcher / screader 8 HP and it blends them something I think helps
U saved me! I dumped full leaves on my garden beds last fall. I kind of knew that wasn’t a good thing, so I WAS going to till them in my beds! Now I know I need to remove them, chop them up and let them decompose (out of my garden beds) before using!!! Thank you!!! Whew!
Mulch is magical. One of my "learning moments" in the garden was when I deeply mulched (with straw) a raised-bed strawberry patch in the fall. It was a particularly warm spring, and I planted my tomato and pepper seedings in mid-May. It was the first week in June when I realized I saw nothing appearing in my strawberry bed. I decided to investigate and remove the mulch to see what was going on. Wow! The soil was still frozen solid!
Great practical lesson! Until that time, I had never realized the insulating properties of mulch.
Yes it is!
I'm glad you mentioned the slug problem. Too many mulch advocates ignore it. Thankfully my family has found that slugs dislike pine needles. My sister is lucky enough to have lots of pines and the slugs leave her needle-mulched garden alone. She also hasn't noticed any problem with acidification, which some folks worry about with pine needles. Also, I like that your leaf mold is in a heap instead of in bags. For all that's said about plastic not being biodegradable, the reality is that the bags decompose faster than the leaves do and leave you with a heap of leaves on the ground anyway.
Good to know about pine needles! Thank you for sharing this!
Just put some DE around your garden. Many insects do not like DE.
@@gregzeigler3850 DE can harm earthworms, so I tend to stay away from it. If I get desperate enough I'll use it.
@@Beaguins DE is on top of the ground and around the outside of the garden. Worms tend to be in the ground...
Would spruce needles work the same as pine?
Living with clay soil in northern Illinois, this is one of the best explanations on mulch I’ve ever watched. Thanks.
Thanks!
I've been using shredded brown cardboard mulch in my vegetable garden for years, and i love it. Along with all the plant and soil benefits, it's free except for some of my time in non-gardening months. The I generally use shredded leaves and grass in my compost pile. In the fall, I'll top dress with a few inches of compost, then cover that with three inches of cardboard mulch. Come spring, I just move the much aside to plant. Both the compost and cardboard have been incorporated into the soil by the next fall. Anything left, I just cover with another layer of compost and mulch.
Great tip- thanks for sharing!
Great idea. Do you shred it or have you found a source?
@@lindmarcella I use a Craig's list 19 page shredder I got for super cheap years ago. If you are methodical, it goes pretty fast.
OK OK ❤ I can do that. First time community garden. I just removed straw from raised beds. Told it's not good. Either tarp or mulch will do. So I use cardboard instead. Any suggestions. Excited for spring. growing
I recently discovered the joy of having *FREE* mulch, aka chopped leaves, and I'm so glad I did! My husband was skeptical. But I insisted. I covered my garlic bed with them last fall, and we covered the in-ground garden with them. My husband made two piles: one in the back of the yard next to the compost pile, and another close to the house. Very convenient. We've been adding them to the compost in layers with earthworm castings. Also, I've heard of people using the leaves for bedding for chickens and such. I first heard of this when I watched a video titled: "I prayed for fertility. God gave me leaves." It was eye-opening, and your video confirmed my choice. Thank you.
I'm glad the chopped leaves are working well for you, Sheri!
I recently bought ez straw for our two 4x4 raised beds. Do you have any thoughts on this mulch?
This is so good! I actually JUST (30 minutes ago) put a bed of whole leaves over my harvested Yacon plant for frost prevention so it can regrow next year. Now I understand that I need to shred them.
This is my first time watching one of your videos and I must say you have one of the best voices! So clear and soothing to listen to with great content. Thanks for what you do!
Wow, thank you!
"For the love of God people NO mulch volcano" LOL I had to play it again laughing. Thank you for great sense of humor and great tips.
😆
@@GrowfullywithJenna kppmllpp 12:29
Excellent, complete guide to mulch hopefully more people will join us in this practice of organic gardening!
You are superb. A garden enthusiast from India in Uk. I collected fallen leaves from street using a mower last year and used straight away to my small orchard to suppress weeds and to increase water retention properties with a top layer of wood barks got from a Gardner for free.
Thank you so much!
A couple points.
Almost anything left on the surface does very little to the soil underneath. You can sprinkle the area with blood meal where you're going to put wood chips if you're concerned. It can help the biology of the soil though over time as should be well understood.
I think a better idea if you have plenty of grass and leaves, or greens and browns is to go ahead and make compost in a hot pile. When you mix that up or turn it you can remove what you want for the most part to use as mulch with the added benefit of getting you to compost that's healthier than just broken down leaf which is really more like leaf mold instead of compost, or using grass clippings which CAN be problematic. That doesn't mean it will be but it can be, and it's because of being high in nitrogen.
A caveat to making a hot compost pile is you can't simply make a huge pile of leaves that spreads out because you don't want a really large reactive area that's getting hot. So in the case of a person having a large amount of leaves then maybe a good idea is to do both a large pile of leaves to make more of a leaf mold material, which is really better for woody perennials and do a hot compost pile with some of the leafs which makes a material better for the garden and you can use it at different stages.
On the other hand those nice tall cover crops after drying out a bit make an excellent mulch.
This is why I watch your shows, outstanding content with great explanations and examples. Enjoyed, take care!
Thank you, Michael!!
My favorite is leaves, Maple leaves specifically. I live in a town that has small leaf maples lining the streets. Leaves are plentiful and driving around on a couple of garbage days in the fall gives me 20-30 bags of leaves with no work gathering them into bags. They tend to break down fast even if they are not chopped up.
Wish I had maples. I have oaks. They seem to never break down unless thrashed and my leaf thrasher bit the dust. And they are acidic.
A fantastic resource!!
Great idea!
@@dustyflats3832 I also have 100 yo oaks and I use the leaves for mulching shrubs. Blackberries, currants. They work great and sooner or later they decompose anyway
Where do you put them, the leaves, while they are breaking down?
Yes!! ..Breaking leaves down before piling them for a future compost pile is important. Otherwise it takes three years before the leaves are completely composted. ..Maple leaves are the very best for composting.
Practical and chock full of good info. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for all your advice. I have just had an argument with my wife as she doesn't like me putting broken down leaves onto the garden. She said it is only for helping the type of soil and doesn't add anything to the soil and also that it hides slugs ans snails who eat the plants. After listening to this I am more inclined to stick to my guns but for the sake of a good marriage I have to find that place of love which is more difficult than the science of gardening.
I realise you gave the answer towards the end of your podcast in that I should leave the mulching until it get a bit warmer as the pests hide under the wet mulch and love it there. So I will clear off the leaves as she wanted but put them back on when it is warmer but also break them down a bit with the lawnmower. Thank you. You may have saved my marriage. Ha Ha. It appears you don't have that problem with no wedding ring.
I'm glad I could help with the marital disputes! And yes- I'm married too... no stranger to the challenges! 😄
Amazing info on mulching Mrs. Jenna. So happy so see you are doing so good with your channel. Got my garden up and rolling now. Remember to not forget us small guys out here. Stay safe my friend!
I'm so glad to hear from you CB-- and can't wait to check out the last couple of videos. RUclips has done it again-- not sending notifications even when I asked for them and I totally missed your start of the 2023 garden season video!!
Thank you so much for your valuable words
Jenna, I have tall grass in my area.
I cut all mine down and ran it through a wood chipper. It works great if you want a longer lasting mulch.
This was a master class which encouraged me to start a new gardening playlist….
masterclass gardening.
I will transfer some of my most important videos to this playlist.
Intelligence is a most beautiful virtue, Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful- thank you, Tom!
Mulched with straw this year in my annual flower and veg beds. Game.Changer. This was super informative, thank you!
Glad to hear this, Debra!
Awesome video again Jenna! Very professional and informative! You are the best resource for gardeners!
Thank you, Krissy!
One of the most helpful videos on using much that I’ve seen. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
All the tips below I got from sharing with local gardeners, they are your best friends! I call leaf companies in the fall and give them my address so they can dump the leaves for free. Also discovered a golf club community that rakes all leaves in the community up, puts them in huge piles to make leaf mold and then gives that away for free! Local saw mill gives away thier waste saw dust and wood chips for free, Lastly the county dump hires a giant grinder tub company to mulch up all the branches and tree logs they get and also gives that away for free.
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome tips thanks ❤
My worst garden foes are moles & wire grass weed, both L❤VE mulch! 😢 moles tunnel under it, and wire grass goes all through it.
Yo guy mentioned my 4 favorite words…
Free
Free
Free
Free.
One man’s trash is another’s treasure.
Love your videos Jenna. Thanks! I’m mulching with uncut, large leaves this year… rhubarb, comfrey and dock mostly. I simply lay a couple of layers face down over any bare soil and up to an inch or two away from plant stems. I did a trial last year on a small patch and liked the result, so fingers crossed for the whole garden.
That's a great idea, Linda!
Hello Jenna.
Here in Akron and getting back into gardening during retirement.
My would in all sand and used chips and shredded paper, boxes, a and leaves that have bulked up the soil. The inked boxes and paper go around on one tap plants and they thrive just fine.
Thanks for being a Buckeye.
Hi Jenna, I have been saving my grass clippings as mulches, thanks to you! Cheers, Albert
That's great!
I use shredded cardboard for mulching, it works great and solves the problem of having a garage full of boxes.
How do you shred cardboard?
yes i use leaves to protect plants…this year i put a heavy layer where i know it will be muddy in spring, it did help!
I play a little game when I watch your videos. I try to see if there is anything I can add to your presentation. Almost all the time you are so complete in your coverage of the topic there is nothing I can add. Once again that is the case. Our big mower has been broken down and when last I did get to use it the grass was so high that it left huge areas of cut grass laying on the lawn. I got my cousin's 10 year old to work with me raking it all up and putting it on my garden. But after watching this I think I will get out my awesome electric mower and put the bag on and collect up some more grass. Exercise and mulch at the same time. lol
That's a good game- it will keep my on my toes to try to make sure I cover everything!
Sounds like a good job for a 10 year old! And that's kind of the way I look at push-mowing. Instead of wasting money to walk on a treadmill in a gym, I can do it for free, add resistance and get free mulch out of the deal 😆
great job! you are a born teacher! by the way -thank you for knowing how to use adverbs in your sentences - most media presenters do not use adverbs correctly!
Thank you!
Very informative video. Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure!
Crimson clover you recommended and I'm in Columbus OH and love it.
Question?
If I save the flowers... I'm hopefully will be able to use as seeds this fall I'm using in my garden walk ways.
..." Mulch volcano ". Lady you just described Grove City Ohio.. They have mulch volcanoes on everything.Mulch volcano land it is.
Just thanks for the many improvements you have helped me.
You need to improve my cooking again let's get cooking..
Just found your channel. Geez, you got great audio and I dont see a lavalier mic on you. How did you do that? Also your delivery is clear,, well-spoken. You should have your own tv show. I am with you on the mulch!
Very cool I'm from the heavy clays of Ohio to I'm hoping to get my garden looking like that someday that's beautiful
I love how smart you are 😁 This was a very helpful video. Thank you
Thank you, Joanna!
I do the same thing. I slope any remaining dirt into a bowl type container around new bushes or trees T direct any water back towards the bush or tree. I then cover the bowl with mulch so rain will not wash it away. If the bush or tree has a spiral trunk protector around its trunk then I spread the mulch all the way up to the protector. If not, I pull it several inches away from the bush or tree.
Thank you for a great info on mulching Jenna. I am with a comunity of gardener so 1/3 of the garden supposed to be grass and I use grass clipping as mulch for my vegetation area.
Sounds great!
Be ready for the cold weather coming this weekend out there.
We had one chilly night on Wednesday- but otherwise it looks like that cold weather is going to miss us.
I normally watch youtube videos at 1.5 speed. I always watch your videos at I.0 speed...I don't want to miss any nuggets of info. I agree totally with leaf mulch/grass clippings as my #1 mulches. I also find that aged chicken manure (1 year old) is magnificent for flowers. (don't apply until in smells 'normal') Thank you so much. Craig
That's great to hear, Craig- thank you! Composted chicken manure is great stuff!
Hi, I live in a small condo with a tiny piece of land in the front and a bit bigger piece in the backyard. This past fall I put a thin layer of straw on all my small garden areas and this spring the flowers and chives did really well! I think it gave some nice protection from the snow and a bit of salt (on the edges from the condo maintenance). There must be some really good nutrients in this straw, as I bought it from a farmer. The only downside is it attracts critters like mice and voles etc. But I may still do it again this fall unless someone from the condo complex complains.
Great video Jenna, learned a lot, we live in Gladwin, Michigan.
Thanks, Ronald!
I'm clearing areas in my last fall leave mulched areas to plant in? Didn't get good germination of sunflower seeds. On a learning curve with this one. Thanks for your video!
Best of luck!
Right to the point and concise, video full of great information, greatly appreciated. Greetings from another farmer all the way in Colombia, South America. God bless you farmer! (in my book the greatest title on earth)
Thank you very much!
Jeena your garden is very smart
Thanks
Wow! What great value, content and amazing tips. And a lovely presentational style. A whole package of goodies and goodness. Lol. Thanks lots. We appreciate your hard work and sharing of your knowledge and wisdom 🌿
I have recently started using leaves composted and grass clippings , Id say my garden has improved substantially.
Glad to hear it!
Great information! What is the beautiful plant with red flowers behind you at 13:15???
It's part of my crimson clover cover crop. I'm in LOVE with it! I had to leave some just because it was so pretty and the bees love it.
Thank you for the helpful content!
Glad it was helpful!
Great show girl!!! I'm a leaf mulcher myself. It's what I have. I did use a lot of wood wood chips last year. Work the leaves around seed planting but still worth the weed control.
Thanks, Mike! Glad to hear that you're a leaf mulcher too!
I’m mulching with mushroom compost this year because it wasn’t as finished as I wanted so I’m not mixing it in this year. Just laying on top of a layer of finished compost and it’s working great!
Glad to hear it's working great!
another channel was saying that mushroom compost turned out to be/make (?) things to salty and had to get rid of it all.
@@GrowfullywithJennaI plan growing mushrooms with mulch too any recommendations?
My favorite munches are like you wood chips, grass clippings & leaf mold. I also have used shredded paper!
Shredded paper is one I've not tried!
Just came across your channel today! Very impressed at how much information you shared in this great video and made it so easy to understand! I'm a 1st year gardener in MI, Z6b, with just perennial plants in my yard. I'm weed whipping all my leaves into mulch, I have a nice pile going atm. I've also collected plain cardboard to lay around the plants. I get a lot of various weeds where the plants are, and my soil is dry and sandy with clay, so that's why I'm going the leaf mulch and cardboard route, hoping to enrich tge soil and for weed suppression. Was told to lay the cardboard first then cover with the mulch. Sound right to you? I'm worried about slugs and snails tho, I had a lot of trouble with them on my perennials this year. Tysm for this fantastic video!
Your garden is really big and beautiful! I loved the drone footage for scale. I used pine bark chunks this year as I just barely got the garden built before growing season started. I am collecting shredded leaves and grass clippings in a geo-bin to use hopefully in the fall. I also got a tumbling compost bin for kitchen scraps. My garden is probably about 165 square feet of actual growing space in raised beds along with a tiny fruit orchard in containers and flowers in pots and window boxes. Tiny patio garden. This was very informative and useful even for a tiny space. Thank you!
Pine bark doesn't maintain moisture as well as regular woodchips and doesn't break down to feed the soil nutrients quite as quickly, but some people actually prefer that, because it will definitely last a lot longer than woodchips or shredded wood.
Thank you! Your garden sound lovely too!
I use straw and shredded leaves on veggies. Love wood chips for pathways and around my raspberries, blackberries, and fruit trees.
Yes! They're great for bramble berries!
I just found your video on RUclips. This is amazingly educational!
Very informative and factual!
You have done an excellent job of explaining all of the ins and outs of garden mulching. Thank you so much!
I look forward to learning from more videos that you have put together so thoughtfully for those of us who are still learning the best way to garden in our climate, soil composition, and what we need to know to reach our goal more successfully in our own gardens.
Thank you so much!
Wow! Thank you!
I did notice when using straw this last year, that there were many 'sprouts' of seedlings popping up in my raised beds and in-ground beds. But, the nice thing is, I didn't have to struggle to pop them out- it was easier to remove them than my 'usual culprits' that show up. I am going to try to switch to alfalfa hay and see if there is any difference. Thank you for your informative videos and helping me grow more skills to make my raised and in-ground beds better and healthier!
As usual, Great Video Jenna!
For the last 30 years, I let the growth between rows grow, weeds, planted cover, etc, then mulch mow it down, let is sit a few days and rake it into the beds. Of course cut down any undesirables like thistle, broadleaf, etc before seed. Saves allot of labor, moving stuff around. Same with shredded leaves, dump them in the walk way with the mowed weeds/cover to rot down, then rake into row.
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
@@GrowfullywithJenna Necessity is the mother, (or is a muther)... I'm old... This is how I mulch strawberries, grow cover/tall grass on the non sun side of the rows, then use a whacker, single cut down low to leave the biomass whole. I'm going to shallow till this year and try that Jonnies mix and see if it summer/fall kills (trying to eliminate another step). On the veg rows, they have been mulched for so long that I haven't watered in years.
This was a very helpful video for me! We moved into a new (to us) home last summer that had huge, totally bare front flower beds. At the start of fall I weeded and mulched them heavily with native hardwood mulch. This spring I’ve found almost everything that I plant in those beds looks stunted and unhealthy. I’m thinking it’s because of the nitrogen getting tied up by the mulch, as you described.
Another mulch related video I’d love to see that I’ve never heard talked about anywhere - when you have reseeding annuals, when do you mulch so that you aren’t smothering out the annuals, but still suppressing some weeds and retaining moisture??
I've found that if I mulch with grass clippings very early in the season, self-seeding annuals still pop up the next year. I think by the time they drop seed, the grass has broken down enough that it doesn't inhibit them.
Great tips as always!!Thanks Jenna!!
Thank you!
I love how all the birds were competing with you
I would agree. Mulch is a game changer! I actually dig a trench in the middle of each bed and fill it with my leaves in the fall, along with throwing alfalfa pellets a few times on the beds. Then come planting time ill use a wood shavings mulch around the plants. Seems to work out pretty good. Used to have low nitrogen issues and I dont anymore so that awesome. Great videos as always.
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
Do you buy the alfalfa pellets? Is that to get a good C:N ratio?
Excellent video on mulching! I was going to buy straw for my raised beds, but now I’m going to save loads of money by using grass clippings and decomposed leaves for mulching. Thank you!
I need to learn about buckwheat. How do you use it, when do you harvest and how? Everything looks great!
You might find my video on buckwheat helpful: ruclips.net/video/21nsAirkcpA/видео.html
Excellent video. Just what I needed. Thanks, Jenna!
Glad it was helpful!
Jenna, Very well explained love your videos
Thank you, Paul!
I use leaves and straws in my garden thanks for sharing ❤
Sounds good!
I'm so glad I finally found a gardener in my climate zone!
I’m in a newer subdivision in northwest Indiana that does not have many mature trees. (and nothing but clay!) Because of the young trees the wind is relentless. I am having issues keeping my mulch in place. It’s either blowing away or washing away. Any suggestions? Thanks for the vid! (I’m very jealous of all those amazing leaves you have access too!)
What type of mulch are you using?
Nice sharing. Love your garden
Thanks
I have been using leaf mulch and grass clippings for 35 years. My township sucks up the fallen leaves in the fall and composts then over the winter Residents can then pick up the compost in the spring. I like unchopped leaves in the paths only because they do matt down. I put wood ash down to repel slugs
What a great resource-- and a smart use of whole leaves!
I go for the free side of the mulch. Leaves are plentiful, I pick up straw after Halloween, and lawn clippings from my lawn (about 6-8 bags at least once a week), I only use from my property as I know what chemicals have been used. The straw is used in between rows.
a beautiful farmer
Super AWESOME and informative video,Thanks bunches and keep em coming
Thank you!
Excellent synopsis--thank you! I use a mix of leaves and grass clippings in my beds over winter. In the spring, I aerate it a bit before planting crops. It lasts as a mulch for most of the growing season. It has also improved the texture of my clay-heavy soil over the years.
You don't chop leaves? Just mis with grass clippings?
Idk how I would chop leaves.
@@voss_homestead.oh.chapter yes, we use a bagger on the mower in the fall, which chops everything up nicely. We let the grass get extra long after the leaves have fallen and mow them together. It’s perfect.
Sounds like a great way to improve clay soil!!
@@GrowCookPreserveWithKellyDawn Thank you!! That helps
@@voss_homestead.oh.chapter You're welcome!
I love that orange pitch fork. Do you know where I could pick one of those up?
I got mine here: amleo.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=184&url=41
Since I put trunk protectors on my new apple trees I was able to run the mulch all the way up to the trunk protectors. As they get bigger I will remove the trunk protectors and pull the mulch away from the trunk. I used Scotts Red Mulch, a wood chip mulch. I live in. Low Ph rea, naturally about 4.5, so lime is very important. I lime my yard twice during the year - Spring and Fall at a setting of 7 on my Scotts rotary spreader. If I do not do this, I get sticks for bushes and no grass, unless it it is crab grass. I have my yard pretty well stabilized at 6.5-7.0, now. It is still short on organic matter but I am working on it. It is primarily sand with a clay underlayment about a foot under ground. Water permeates through it, like crap through a goose. I aerate my soil at lest once a year, sometimes more, with my Mantis tiller. If water starts to stand in areas or run off, I Aerate it. FYI, I have a granite quarry a few miles from my house. If that tells you my problem with soil Ph.
Oh wow- you're on the opposite end of the pH spectrum and soil type from me!
@@GrowfullywithJenna yes, I live in an area with the worst soil that I have experienced. You can drive an old lawnmower blade in the ground and within a few years it will rust off at ground level. When I first moved here 17 years ago, I planted the plants that I had at my former home in South Georgia. Within. Few months all I had was a yard full of dead sticks. I have to lime my yard biannually to keep my azaleas, roses, and grass alive.
I have a half acre of alfalfa and never considered it as a mulch, I do put in in my compost. I will use it as a mulch, thanks!
I’m a bit jealous 😄. I’d like to grow alfalfa for myself on a larger scale- I’ve got the space, just have to figure out the most efficient way to hand- harvest!
Hi Jenna, I see your garden is fenced in. Can you tell us what size garden you have? Also, loved the overhead view of your garden. However, it was a very short glimpse, because it mostly caught the trees on what I’m guessing is the north end of your garden. Would love an overhead view that can be paused. Could you do a slide where you point out which way is north south east west. And potentially what you have planted? That way we see the orientation and how much space each item is taking.
I live in a high desert climate in Utah. The only way to keep moisture in our soil is mulch. I love woodchips on top. It works amazing in my very dry climate. Thanks for a great video
Same but I live in northern New Mexico. I use old tumble weeds ran through my shredder as mulch. Use what I have on the property.
Thanks for sharing!
My fav is straw it's like night and day no weeds and a Lot less water then till in in spring and do it again
Glad to hear it!
Great video. I use grass clippings from my lawn and year old wood chips that have partially broken down in my veg beds. On the paths, I use fresh wood chips, but going to add the cardboard from now on. Hadn’t thought of that. Going to look into green manures, like the sound of that. Thanks for advice.
Sounds great!
Perfect timing on this video. I was just looking for more mulch ideas. I have had good luck with fine pine shavings. Let me know if this is ok. I do have a ton of slugs and catterpillers here in the Florida panhandle. With that , the hot sun dries everything out fast.
I've not used them, but have heard good things from other folks using pine shavings in beds-- I'd say if you've had good luck stick with it!
Good morning Jenna from Australia!! I use grass clippings, tree fern fronds (chopped up), small branches chopped with veggie scraps from the kitchen for my compost.
For garden cover, I normally use sugar cane mulch which is cheap and is very beneficial for my raised beds. My beds are set up using hügelkultur in the base of the bed then I run with permaculture for the top half of the bed then the mulch on top.
Around my beds is lawn which is cut and harvested for the compost heap, so the only things that go out in my green waste bin is weeds and rose clippings.
Have a great day Jenna XX
Sounds great, Jim-- and I love how you're using whatever is available in your area, like tree ferns and sugar cane!
Good for warm climates .
We got tons of rain last year which caused some people to get root rot .
Mine didn’t because my soil depth is deep and drains well
I use leaf mold and grass clippings and develop some AWESOME soil!
Sounds great!
Tengo entendido que el uso de chips de madera crea desequilibrio en el suelo, pues habrá más hongos que bacterias para lograr descomponer esa madera.
Yo arruine una huerta al agregar aserrín de madera, se veía hermosa pero después no me creció nada. Los forraje ricos en selulosa son mejores que los ricos en lignina que está precente en árboles adultos.
Saludos desde Costa Rica.
Love the information, great video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I actually can get plenty of cardboard at work as needed and Chip Drop brings me free fresh wood mulch. We reworked a few beds and had to go into old walkways, where we found the best soil under a thin layer of wood mulch from last year.
Great resources!
Thank you Jenna. Great information.
Thanks!
Mulch is a must in Australia we simply don't get enough rain to not mulch. Where I am averages 12 to 14in of rain per year.
We have mostly converted to sugercane mulch as it has no weed seed at all.
Sugarcane mulch sounds like a great resource!
Great explanation.
Glad it was helpful!
I love watching you and I learn so much. Can I use clean animal bedding as mulch in my raised beds? Our lawn is treated chemically so I cannot use grass clippings. Thanks
I've heard from many folks who use animal bedding to mulch beds!
First off, thank you for all of this useful information. I love how you explained everything. I live in Virginia and just started my garden this year. I would like to start using my grass that my son cuts as much in my garden. My husband had applied some grass food and weed killer to it more than a month ago but the grass has been cut at least twice since then. Is it safe to use at this point?
Thank you! It will depend on what type of weed killer he used on the lawn.
Thank you so much for all the valuable information. Really great video well done 🙋🏼♀️👍🏻😄
Thank you!
This was really informative without being overwhelming 👍🏼
I'm glad to hear this- thank you!
I use grass clippings as mulch of choice.
It's the perfect mulch!