The Secret to a Healthy Garden Year-Round

If you’ve spent all summer watering, pruning, and caring for your plants, don’t let your hard work go to waste now. One of the simplest, yet most overlooked, ways to protect your garden is with a fresh layer of mulch. Mulch does more than make your beds look neat and tidy. A solid layer acts like a protective blanket for your soil and plants. It helps to retain moisture and keep your soil cool during late-summer heat waves. And best of all, it helps to prepare beds for winter by preventing weeds from getting a head start.

So, take a walk through your garden and check your beds. If you can see bare soil, your mulch has worn thin. Summer sun, rain, and even foot traffic can break it down faster than you think. A quick top-off now will carry your garden into the cooler months with less effort from you.

Mulch is one of those low-effort, high-reward tasks every gardener should prioritize. Spend an afternoon refreshing your beds now, and your plants — and your future self — will thank you.