5 Clever Ways to Reuse Old #Mulch, According to #Gardening Experts

Stop throwing away old mulch.

By Michelle Mastro
Published on April 23, 2026

"Everyone wants a healthy garden, and mulch is a vital tool for maintaining one. Mulch helps soil retain moisture, suppresses weed growth, and protects roots from temperature fluctuations. But what should you do when the mulch in your garden loses its luster? Should you leave it in your garden, repurpose it, or discard it?

"While there are instances when old mulch should be tossed, often it can be refreshed or used in other ways. The biggest consideration is whether the mulch was exposed to #pathogens. For example, if your tomatoes were heavily affected by late blight, gray mold, or similar infections, the spores can remain viable in mulch for over three years, and should be discarded.

"If your mulch is old but healthy, there are ways to repurpose it. Ahead, gardening experts share clever ways to reuse old mulch to enrich garden beds and protect plants."

Read more:
https://www.marthastewart.com/what-to-do-with-old-mulch-11952213

#SolarPunkSunday #Gardening

The last couple of days some contractors have been busy getting their grass cutting done before No Mow May starts. I can’t fathom the stupidity of all this anymore.

At least they were happy for me to take the grass clippings off their hands.

I’ll dry the grass before mulching the growing beds with it and/or use as greens for mixing with sawdust, wood chips and horse manure for making hot compost.
#NoMowMay #Compost #Mulch #NoDig

Building #Resilience in Your #Garden for Challenges

April 17, 2024 by Hellen James

"Gardening can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges. From unpredictable weather patterns to pests and diseases, maintaining a thriving garden requires resilience. In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies to build resilience in your garden, ensuring it can withstand whatever challenges come its way.

Takeaways
1. Choose resilient plant varieties suited to your climate and soil conditions.
2. Improve soil health with #compost, #WormCastings, and cover crops to support plant resilience.
3. Implement water-efficient strategies such as #DripIrrigation and #rainwater harvesting to conserve water.
4. Utilize #NaturalPestControl methods like introducing beneficial insects and #CompanionPlanting.
5. Adapt to changing climate conditions by incorporating climate-resilient gardening practices.
6. Plan and prepare for each season to optimize plant growth and resilience.
7. Foster #biodiversity through companion planting and native plant selections to enhance garden resilience.
8. Create microclimates to tailor growing conditions to the specific needs of your plants.
9. #Mulch to suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and retain moisture for improved resilience.
10. Embrace #SustainableGardening practices to build long-term #resilience and environmental #stewardship.

Full article:
https://unifiedgarden.com/building-resilience-in-your-garden-for-challenges/

#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningChallenges #ClimateChangeGardening #EnvironmentalStewardship #RainwaterHarvesting #BuildingResiliency #FoodSecurity

#ClimateResilient #Gardening: How to Adapt Your Garden to #ExtremeWeather

ECO gardener, Nov 14, 2024

Excerpt: "Gardening in Extreme Weather

Gardening in extreme weather can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can protect plants and maintain a healthy garden:

Choose Weather-Resistant Plants
Opt for #DroughtTolerant, heat-resistant plants in hot climates (like succulents or lavender) and hardy, cold-resistant species in colder climates (like kale or coneflowers).

Use #Mulch to Retain Moisture and Insulate
Applying a thick layer of organic mulch helps regulate soil temperature and retain moisture, making it essential in both hot and cold conditions.

Install #ShadeCloth or Row Covers
In intense heat, a shade cloth can protect plants from direct sun, while row covers offer frost protection during cold spells.

Water Smartly
For hot weather, water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and avoid wetting foliage. In winter, water during the day when temperatures are above freezing to help roots absorb moisture before the ground freezes.

Consider #RaisedBeds
Raised beds help with drainage in #WetClimates and can warm up faster in colder weather, giving plants a more stable growing environment.

Wind Protection Strategies
Use windbreaks like shrubs, fencing, or netting to shield plants from damaging winds that can dry out or freeze foliage.

Invest in Hardy #ContainerGardens
For extreme weather, container gardens are versatile—easily moved to sunny spots, shady areas, or even indoors as needed. [I do this with tomatoes and other plants]

Optimize Soil Health
Healthy, well-drained soil holds moisture better in heat and protects roots from frost damage in winter. Regularly add compost to enrich soil.

Use #ColdFrames or #Greenhouses
These structures create a controlled environment, extending the growing season and protecting plants from temperature extremes.

Keep an Eye on Weather Patterns
Staying informed about sudden temperature changes can help you take timely action, like covering plants or adjusting watering schedules.

With these tips, you can create a resilient garden that adapts to extreme weather challenges while keeping your plants thriving."

Learn more:
https://ecogardener.com/blogs/news/climate-resilient-gardening

#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeGardening #FoodSecurity #ClimateChangeAdaptation #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO #GardeningChallenges #ResilientGarden #Resiliency

#Maine - Top 10 Cool-Weather Vegetables to Plant in Early Spring

by Amanda Cahoon

"Spring is just around the corner, and as the soil begins to warm up, eager gardeners can start planting certain crops even while the weather is still cool. Some vegetables thrive in colder temperatures and can be planted early to give you a head start on the growing season. By choosing cold-tolerant, hardy vegetables, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce sooner—and all while keeping things organic!

Here’s our list of the top 10 cool-weather vegetables to plant in early spring, along with tips on how to grow them organically."

https://coastofmaine.com/blogs/growing-guide/top-10-cold-tolerant-vegetables-to-plant-in-early-spring

#SolarPunkSunday #Gardening #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood #FoodSecurity #CoolWeatherCrops #GYO #OrganicGardening #Mulch

RE: https://mas.to/@econetwork/116452510652810086

Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday!

#EcoYouthsNetwork #SustainableFarming #Mulch

Oh, this is too good not to share for an early #SolarPunkSunday ... I just heard about this on the local news. Wow!!!

#ResilientYards in #SouthPortlandME

"The goal of Resilient Yards is to continue to promote landcare practices that bolster South Portland’s community and #ecosystem #resilience. Volunteer coaches offer personalized guidance, advice, and support to South Portland residents to transition their yards into resilient landscapes. Once paired together, coaches and participants discuss site needs, set up scheduling, and install gardens at each site. We provide each yard with free #compost, #mulch, and a set of 8 #NativePlants.

Native plants require less maintenance, support #biodiversity, and build #ecosystem #resilience. The program also builds #SocialResilience, as South Portland neighbors connect through sharing advice and resources.

Program Impact

Since we launched our inaugural 100 Resilient Yards program in 2023, we have helped 230 Resilient Yards participants, who, with the support of 65 volunteer coaches, have planted a total of 1,352 native #pollinator plants in yards across South Portland."

Learn more:
https://www.southportland.gov/668/Resilient-Yards

#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForPollinators #MaineNews #BuildingCommunity #Rewilding #LessLawns #NativePlants #WildlifeCorridors #PollinatorGarden #PollinatorCorridors #gardening

Court decision well rooted in judicial field of inquiry
https://www.universalhub.com/2026/court-decision-well-rooted-judicial-field-inquiry

#Boston #mulch #lawsuits

Living mulch for asparagus? Will it work or just overrun the plants?

I've just spent 3 hours weeding the asparagus, and while it was good to think about that instead of the clown show in DC for a while, it's not therapy I want to repeat too often.

I'm wondering about using white Dutch clover to fix nitrogen as well as keep down weeds. ??

#gardening #asparagus #permaculture #vegetablegardening #mulch