The Garden Shed

Mulching trees and shrubs can be a good thing but too much mulch can kill roots and eventually plants by reducing soil air(oxygen). When you pile mulch high and deep it causes root death through oxygen deprivation, or the production of toxins that kill roots.
One of the primary reasons for mulching in all seasons is to retain moisture around the plant , stabilize or even cool the soil, and reduce weeds. Research has shown that fine mulch needs to be no deeper than two inches and a bulky mulch 4 inches to eliminate light needed for weed seeds to germinate and provide these other benefits. To figure out how much mulch you need simply multiply the area you wish to mulch by the depth of the mulch and then divide this number by 12. If you want to calculate cubic yards divide by 324 rather than 12.
Another reason to apply mulch is for winter protection. This is usually done after the soil has cooled or frozen. All season mulch is applied after the soil warms up a little in the spring or of course any time later. Wait until the soil is moist to apply for moisture retention.
Mulches may have other imperfections. Mulch is a great place for overwintering insects, diseases, and rodents. If mulch gets too dry it may actually repel watering. Each mulch has advantages and disadvantages that will be discussed in a future blog.

Jerry Frecon
Agricultural Agent

There are many reasons to buy local Christmas trees versus buying artificial trees made in a factory. Buying local trees preserves local farmers and local farmland. Christmas trees support a complex eco system that helps our environment. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.
Live Christmas trees are 100% biodegradable and when recycled decomposing trees add nutrients back to the soil.
According to recent statistical data over 85% of all artificial trees are made in China. Artificial trees are made in a factory and the sale of them competes with the sale of local Christmas trees. Most artificial trees are made of plastics and metals and are not biodegradable. These fake trees frequently end up in landfills and are an a burden to our environment.
Most Christmas tree farmers in New Jersey are small farmers that replant each tree with a new tree to sustain their plantings. These plantations beautify our local environment. Most farms are open to the public each weekend after Thanksgiving, and invite the public into choose and cut trees.

The New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association has a web site of registered New Jersey Choose and Cut growers at www.njchristmastrees.citymax.com/page/page/3965401.htm
We also maintain a list of Gloucester County growers on our home page at http://gloucester.njaes.rutgers.edu.
Treat yourself to a visit to one of these local farms and buy varieties like Douglas fir, Norway spruce, Frasier fir, Blue spruce, White pine, Serbian fir and Concolor fir, and enjoy the beauty, and fragrance of a local tree.

Jerry Frecon
Agricultural Agent