This year has been very wet and almost impossible to stay ahead of the weeds in any garden. But, my garden is nearly weed-free because of mulch.

There are many different kinds of mulch one can choose. They include pine needles, newspaper, cardboard, woodchips, leaves, grass clippings (these can have seeds so be careful) and the list goes on. I chose straw this year because I had some in the barn. I simply planted my transplants directly into the ground or pushed my seeds into the ground and covered the area with about 4-inches of straw mulch.

Organic mulches such as straw tend to cool the soil slightly, but their real advantage is the control of weeds and moisture. Weeds are smothered by the heavy mulch and moisture is retained due to the soil being protected from the sun. The moisture is retained longer because the soil is not exposed to the heat of the sun. Presently, too much moisture is the concern but later in the summer you will see the rewards.

I have tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, and okra planted as transplants. Then, there are rows of beans, onions and potatoes. The really neat thing about a mulched garden is you almost never have to pull a weed. Yes, I will spray for insects and disease, but that only takes minutes a week not hours of cultivating or pulling weeds.

I love to garden. I enjoy the pleasure of eating that vegetable I helped care for, but life is busy so I am all for saving time. Work smarter not harder is my motto as I grow older. This fast paced life we all live doesn't seem to allow much free time. So, there is still time to mulch your garden and save your back from weeding all summer. Try it! You will like the results. Review the pictures and you choose – to mulch or not mulch.

Source: Ed Billingsley, County Extension Director, Williamson County and Interim County Extension Director, Jackson County, edb@uiuc.edu