Mulch can be loosely defined as a material placed on top of the soil, around plants, to prevent weeds from sprouting, add nutrients and deter some pests. There are organic and inorganic mulches available for sale and some that you can make at home.

The fertility of soil is dependent on having a few key ingredients: an abundance of the major minerals, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (labeled with their periodic table symbols: N-P-K) small amounts of the minor minerals (calcium, iron, etc), plenty of organic matter, the proper pH and a thriving microbial community.

Just as the gardening season is winding down and cooler temperatures have set in, there are still some tasks in the yard, to prepare it for the winter to come. Caring for your lawn in the fall is one of these important jobs that must be done to maintain the health of the grass over the many months that it sits under the snow.

Most of us start to get pretty excited for gardening season, once the warm weather hits and the first flowers appear. However, the savvy gardener starts planning a few months before this, to prepare the yard for the warmer seasons. Early planning gives the garden time to recover from its winter slumber and gives the gardener a jumpstart on the year.