When to mulch a new perennial garden?

Question

I recently planted a new perennial garden. Many of the plants were still dormant when I planted them, although a few were beginning to sprout. I know that it's healthy to mulch flower beds, and I plan to use recycled wood chip mulch to do it, but I'm not sure about how safe it is to do this when many of the plants are still dormant. I'm finding conflicting information - some places say to do it right away, others say to place mulch around the plants, but not cover the plants. The problem is that although I know the basic vicinity that I planted each plant, I don't remember the exact placement, so I'm concerned that the plants that haven't sprouted yet might not sprout at all if I mulch over them. But at the same time, I've read that it's much healthier for them to be mulched right away. What should I do?

GardenJill · Accepted Answer

Mulch serves the following purposes:
Preserves soil moisture.
Keeps weed seeds from sprouting.

It will not kill existing weeds. It will not keep down perennial weeds (ones that have roots hiding in your soil).

You should weed out any weeds that appear before you mulch.

There should be no problem putting a light mulch (1" or so) over most perennial plants. In any case, you should not snug a thick mulch (3-4") up to the stems of perennials (or shrubs and trees for that matter).

Make sure that the soil is not dry when you mulch or you will be keeping rain and watering away from the plants.

If some of your perennials are very small, you should leave that area of your garden unmulched until they sprout up which they should do very soon.

Baby · Answer

I'd wait for the sprouts to pop up.  Mulch is to help keep moisture in the ground so that it would not evaporate away.  You also want the sun to hit the areas where the sprouts will get the sun and pop up.  I know I could word this better, but I;m not feeling so goodright now. Please pardon me.

Quit Whining already! · Answer

most of my perennials in my front yard are covered in mulch, but they always do just fine. I would mulch asap, the plants like the extra moisture.

Maryann · Answer

don't go nuts thinking about it,you are fine,they will pop through,no mater what,once they do, you can remove the mulch from around the base of the plant to prevent rotting with too much rain.

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When to mulch a new perennial garden?

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