Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.
Reduce time spent mowing while improving the health of trees and shrubs with a few minor changes in your landscape design.
Eliminate tight corners and narrow spaces that make it difficult to maneuver the mower. Edge the beds to keep grass out and eliminate hand trimming. Rent an edger or use a shovel to create a V shaped trench around the garden. Fill with mulch to create a nice edge for the mower wheel to travel upon.
Create large mulch or planting beds around trees and shrubs. Incorporate individual plants into larger planting beds. Mow the grass inside the bed short, cover with newspaper or cardboard and a layer of woodchips.
Now you just need to mow around one bed instead of several small plantings. Plus, you eliminate the risk of damaging the trunks with the mower or weed whips. And these permanent plantings will thrive once the competition from the grass is removed.
A bit more information: Grass competes with newly planted trees and shrubs for water and nutrients. Expanding the mulch garden can increase the health and vigor of these new landscape additions.
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