Most gardeners know that mulching trees, shrubs and flower beds is a good practice, even if they may not know all the reasons. Beyond the obvious advantage of its decorative use to make plantings look clean and attractive, there are real environmental benefits that can also help gardens reduce maintenance and protect every homeowner's investment in time and plant materials. 1. Weed Control Most homeowners understand mulch helps reduce weeds, but best results depend on understanding why. Weeds need sunlight to germinate in the soil. The proper use of a mulch that will serve as a barrier to sunlight can help decrease the germination of weed seeds. Use a shredded hardwood or softwood material at a depth of at least 2-3 inches for best effect. HINT: If you prefer the more rugged look of larger particles like mini nuggets or nuggets, use a 1-inch layer of shredded material first and then place a 2-inch layer of larger materials on top to get the advantages of both materials. 2. Erosion Control Mulch is often used by highway departments to stabilize roadside embankments from erosion. The same principle applies to home gardens and should follow the same guidelines. Slopes create collection points and water flows that can carry soil downhill. The same is true of large-particle wood mulches. Since wood products often float, large particle mulch may flow downhill in a significant rainfall. Shredded hardwood mulches should be used to stabilize slopes. These materials are more dense and tend to mat together. In lighter rainfall, most shredded mulches will trap and absorb moisture thereby preventing its collection and runoff. In heavier rainfall, the intertwined particles of a hardwood mulch hold the material together. HINT: Unfortunately, a torrential downpour on a steep incline may create more force than even the best mulch can resist; so, the steepness of the slope and the frequency of torrential rains must be considered when selecting your mulch options. An inorganic mulch like rock or stones may be your best option, especially for areas too steep to maintain plants. 3. Moisture control On the opposite extreme from torrential rains is drought, and once again, mulch can provide needed protection for landscape plants. As a wood product with a large surface area compared to its size, mulches can absorb a significant amount of water. That retained moisture, which is released over time, can reduce the need to water plants during a drought. Even more important is the ability of mulch to allow water to penetrate to the ground while forming a barrier to reduce evaporative losses under the sun. HINT: Retaining existing moisture is just as important to reducing water use as is the retention of new moisture. Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of loose fill mulch to allow moisture access from the top and prevent moisture loss from beneath. 4. Temperature Control Excessive heat in the soil can damage plant roots, kill beneficial bacteria and deactivate slow release fertilizers. A 2-3 inch layer of any organic mulch can reduce the soil temperature around plant roots. In colder climates, a good mulch layer can insulate the soil from excessive cold protecting the roots from freezing. Mulch can also be piled around tender plants in a freeze. HINT: Do not leave the mulch on above-ground stems for long in warm weather. The added moisture and heat can encourage insects to attack the stems. During the growing season, keep mulch 1 inch from the base of shrubs and trees. Simple Steps to Seed Starting Success By Melinda Myers Get a jump on the growing season by starting your favorite or hard to find plants indoors from seeds. Starting hard to find plants, like many of the heirloom or newly introduced varieties, from seed may be the only way you will be able to add these to your garden. Plus, you’ll be extending the growing season and bringing the fun of gardening indoors. All you need is a little space, a few supplies and of course seeds to get started. Check the back of your seed packets for planting directions. Most recommend when and how to start seeds indoors as well as any other special care the seedlings will need. Purchase, recycle or make your own containers from newspaper. Sanitize used pots by dipping them in a one part bleach and nine parts water solution and then rinsing them with clean water. Fill the containers with a sterile well-drained potting mix or seed starting mix. Once the containers are filled, plant the seeds according to the seed packet directions. For most seeds, plant them twice their diameter deep and gently water. Continue to water often enough to keep the soil slightly moist. Extend the time between watering and increase your seed starting success by covering the container with plastic. Or purchase a seed starting kit, like the self-watering Growease seed starter kits. Move your containers to a sunny window as soon as the seedlings emerge from the soil. Turn plants often to encourage even growth. Or increase your success by growing seedlings under artificial lights. You can make your own light system or purchase tabletop, shelf units or easy to assemble light systems, like Stack-N-Grow (gardeners.com). Keep the lights four to six inches above the top of the seedlings for best results. As the seedlings grow, be sure to maintain this distance by simply raising the lights or lowering the containers. Move overcrowded seedlings to larger containers once they have two sets of true leaves. The first leaves that appear are rather indistinct and are called seed leaves. The next set of leaves look more like the mature plant’s leaves and are called true leaves. Once the next set of true leaves forms, it is time to transplant overcrowded seedlings. Use a fork or spoon to carefully lift out the seedling. Clusters of seedlings can be dug and carefully teased apart before planting in individual pots. Be careful not to pinch and damage the young tender stems. Place seedlings in their own clean container filled with moist sterile potting mix. Plant the young plants at the same depth they were growing in the original container. Thin seedlings started in individual containers as needed. If you planted several seeds in each small container remove all but the healthiest one. Prune the weaker seedlings to ground level, so the remaining seedling can develop into a strong transplant for the garden. Continue to grow your plants in a sunny window or under artificial lights and water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil slightly moist. Soon it will be time to move your homegrown transplants into the garden. Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.