Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi,
Can I ask a question that has been puzzling me but I've been afraid to ask for fear of looking silly?
If I mulch my borders with bark to retain moisture, how do I then water them? Do I just water onto the mulch or do I have to move it and then cover it over the soil again when I've watered?

The water will go through the mulch to the soil below. I think the reason mulch help to keep soil moist is down water being slow to evaporate from the surface.

PS welcome to the vine.

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Digger-07

"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right" Henry Ford.

Cheers for the welcome Digger!

Hi BPP,

Whatever you do don't be frightened to ask we don't bite ( apart from LJ but she doesn't have her teeth in on wednesdays )

If you ask you appear folish for a moment if you don't you are foolish for life

Digger is spot on with the answer, it slows down evapouration. Make sure you use composted bark though, if you put it on "green" it will rob nitrogen out of the soil till it breaks down ( can be a couple of years).

If it's some prunings you've shredded simply mix them in an old compost bag with 6ozs of ammonium nitrate moisten & tie the bag up and forget it for 12 months, it will break down in no time.

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Welcome BigPotPlant! Never be fightened to ask questions - we all do!

Oh, and make sure you put your mulch on well wet soil....not on dry soil

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi