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Kutztown, PA

Are you mulching your plants? If you are, what are you mulching with? I haven't been doing that myself for fear of rotting vines and critters.

6/12/2024 9:31:11 AM

Grittyville, WA

It depends what your goal is but I like to keep a thin layer on at all times. The weeds I have are tenacious perennials and wont be suppressed even by a thick layer... they'd still survive. And, as you note, a thick layer could invite various problems. You could mulch heavily between the vines though. But still I wouldnt put it in direct contact with the leaves or vines unless doing so had some benefit and no drawbacks. I would just use whatever material would feed the soil, compost or mixed green and brown landscaping waste. Coarse materials can be applied thicker, finer materials a thin layer is best imho.

[Last edit: 06/12/24 11:05:56 AM]

6/12/2024 11:00:45 AM

Connecticut, USA

I have tried mulching giant pumpkins in past years with grass clippings. I ended up with mice nesting and chomping on the pumpkins.

This year I am using a woven fabric on my non-pumpkin vegetable plants to suppress weeds and save time. It allows water and air to pass through but not much sunlight. So far, it seems to be working.

6/12/2024 11:25:27 AM

Nova Scotia

Good advice Ken, certainly don't need a pile of hungry mice vacationing in a nice resort setting.

6/12/2024 11:33:07 AM

Grittyville, WA

It definitely doesnt pay to create habitat for the wrong sorts of critters. In my experience a very thin layer (think 1/4" or less even) should provide benefits without the drawbacks.

6/12/2024 11:54:07 AM

Kutztown, PA

I may try some sort of weed barrier between vines on one of my plants this year to see how it does. I've already got more mice and voles than I need. Easier to grow an XL vole than and XL pumpkin.

6/12/2024 1:38:28 PM

Australia [email protected]

Use heaps of it but I do bait

6/13/2024 4:04:19 AM

Sonoma County, CA

I’ve used a thick layer of straw as a mulch. Works well in my climate (very dry). Keeps the moisture in and the suppresses the weeds. Might not work as well in a wetter humid climate. Also, in the early spring it prevents the soil from warming which isn’t idea. Not a problem now.

6/14/2024 2:03:13 AM