Why I'm Mulching Everything Before This Week's Heat Wave

If you're gardening in Michigan, you've probably noticed this season has felt a little unusual. We had May days with temps over 80 degrees, and the first half of June has felt like midsummer! Yes, I’m a weather nerd and maybe you’re not so let me refresh your memory below.

We've had plenty of warm days, but we've also had frequent rain, cloudy skies, and soils that have stayed damp for weeks. Many gardeners have told me their tomatoes, peppers, and other warm-season crops seem to be growing much slower than normal.

Now the forecast has changed dramatically.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid to upper 90s over the next several days. That's a big shift for plants that have been growing in consistently moist conditions.

So what's the one thing I'm making sure gets done before the hottest weather arrives?

I'm mulching.

Why mulch matters before extreme heat

A good layer of mulch does much more than make the garden look tidy.

It helps:

• Keep soil temperatures more consistent.

• Slow moisture loss during hot weather.

• Reduce weeds that compete with your vegetables for water.

• Minimize soil splashing onto leaves, which can help reduce the spread of some fungal diseases during wet periods.

If your mulch has broken down over the past few months, now is a great time to freshen it up.

A few reminders

• Leave a couple of inches of space around plant stems to improve airflow.

• Water deeply before a long stretch of heat if the soil is beginning to dry.

• Check containers daily. They dry out much faster than raised beds or in-ground gardens.

• Don't assume every droopy plant needs water. Check the soil first.

How is your garden doing?

Has all the rain slowed your garden down?

Or have your tomatoes and peppers finally started taking off?

I'd love to hear what's happening in your garden. Leave a comment below or send me a message.

Happy gardening!

Tammy Lowe
The Lazy Northern Gardener