Why I no longer mulch or weed winter beds.
Doing better by doing less; on preparing beds
I no longer weed beds of the summer annuals or add much compost to mulch in the autumn. Instead I choose different methods of winter soil preparation, and my flowers are growing stronger, faster and healthier despite doing less.
For years I mulched with bought in composts, manures and soil improver. I had some negative experiences with them; poor germination, stunted crop growth and at great expense. I researched how to grow without mulching and discovered different techniques that both reduced the costs but increased the fertility of the beds.
I also learnt that stripping the soil of all growing plants might have made beds look tidy, but also removed the essential carbohydrate exchange between plants and the soils microbiology for months.
How I prepare beds, especially in the winter is largely informed by what is there already and what crop is being planted in that location next.
If you have your cropping plans ready, this is going to be easy.1 If you don’t, read on and I’ll help you decide what to do.