Pine mulch in the autumn garden: preparing soil for winter

Autumn mulching protects the soil surface from driving rain and gives dormant beds a clean structure.

Clean the area

Remove persistent weeds and diseased plant material. Avoid covering a thick, matted layer of leaves.

Protect the root zone

Bark can moderate rapid temperature changes and reduce soil splash. Keep stems and trunks clear.

Check in spring

Loosen compacted areas and top up only where the layer has become too thin.