Q: I'm planning to use my fallen leaves this fall as mulch around my plants and in my garden beds. How deep should I layer them? A: Excellent idea. Leaves make a superb mulch -- and they're free! On ...

A: Yes, leaves can be raked or blown into your beds to protect roots from freezing temps and to help replenish soil nutrients as they break down. You can also add leaves to a compost bin; or, if you ...

Q: The power company trimmed trees from lines in my area. They ran limbs and trees through a chipper and dumped some of the mulch on my land. Can I use this for mulch on my flower beds? A: That raw ...

A practical guide to garden mulch: learn organic and inorganic types, benefits for moisture, temperature, and weeds, plus ...

Question: Is it good to mulch your perennial flower beds for the winter? I’ve heard varying opinions about it. Some say it just attracts slugs, disease and pests, and others say it is a good thing.

Q: How many times per year should one redo the mulch in flower beds, and what time of year is best? — M.P., Houston A: Maintaining a 2- to 3-inch blanket of organic mulch year-round is a good idea.

Mulch is the ultimate gardening time-saver, no matter if you're tending to flower beds or vegetable gardens. And while mulching itself may be a pain, it reaps many rewards: When done properly, mulch ...

Q: How do I prepare my small flower bed for winter? I have a few black-eyed Susans that look pretty scary right now. Do I cut the tops off or what? I have some dead-looking petunias. Should I just ...

Cheap is good; free is better! If you, like me, are on a budget, take advantage of spring freebies to spruce up your weary landscape and heal and enrich your soil to help keep it moist during our ...