How to Prepare to Mulch the Garden

How to Prepare to Mulch the Garden - In this video I go over some of the tasks I preform in the garden before we mulch. Mostly it's about getting foot traffic in the beds before we mulch. Pruning videos
• How to Prune Plants fo...
• How to Prune Hydrangeas
Learn To Garden Video Series - $25.00 OFF - Code HORTTUBE25 - www.horttube.com/the-basics-o...
Consultations Available - www.horttube.com/consultation
Garden Plants with Jim Putnam - bit.ly/3SMpvn7
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @jimputnam
Southern Living Plants - bit.ly/3R4iYDA
Encore Azlaeas - bit.ly/3dNzlWN
Plants by Mail - bit.ly/3TglJ6P
Endless Summer Hydrangeas - bit.ly/3pHPuQ9
Soil3 Compost - bit.ly/3e1iznx
Products I Use - amzn.to/3ATnmAh - Purchases help the channel
HortTube Playlist - bit.ly/3gYx1Iv
For More Information Visit - www.horttube.com
Facebook Page - / horttube
Instagram horttube?h...

[@HoosierDaddy_]

I'm sure glad I found your channel. I'm following along right along with you and so far I'm blowing away people who have tried the common ways like getting rid of all of the fall leaves. My soil has gone from terrible, to decent and plants seem to love it! I'm hoping all of the neighbors see how good it looks and I can talk them out of planting ivy, pear trees, and all of those terrible invasive plants. Thanks for making this great content and sharing your wisdom!

[@marybeth4002]

I wish someone would have talked my husband out of planting ivy 30 years ago - ugh! Nightmare.

[@dia9491]

Can’t go wrong with Jim. He’s the man. He’s helped my garden drastically.

[@lindagear9014]

Hi, can I ask why pear trees are a problem, thanks.

[@HoosierDaddy_]

@@lindagear9014 * the Bradford pears absolutely take over and destroy all native plants and trees. They dominate and don't allow native prairies and trees to grow.

[@lgarden-appreciation6923]

I rake the downed leaves into one area, then mow with the bag on...finely chopped and takes up much less space in a bed. They're also less likely to blow around the yard when cut into finer pieces. Super cute cameo appearance at the end!

[@trinityloewen8141]

Just moved to northern SC 5 months ago(from MN). The information I'm obtaining from your channel is priceless. I watch other popular KZbinrs, but your content is the most beneficial. I actually learned about you from watching Erin(the impatient gardener). I feel like I should be paying you for this!!! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. It's very much appreciated.

[@mollypitcher9380]

Best wishes w your new life!🌸

[@judymckerrow6720]

You make me anxious to go outside and get to work, then l look outside🌨🥺❄️💚🙃

[@judymckerrow6720]

Don’t leave any tones outside if it rains! I did on accident, forgot about it, found it and oh my gosh, the smell, the bugs the flies oh my! ❄️💚🙃

[@oursaviorsride]

On your last video you JUST answered my question. Thank you anyway. Connie

[@passepartoot]

A caution about using free, freshly chopped wood from chipdrop, arborists or other tree trimming companies: *_ask them what wood is in the truck_*. I had a tough year pulling out many, many, willow and Virginia creeper plants that self-rooted even after being shredded by the chipper. Those companies are hired to clear brush and invasive plants.

[@sherriianiro747]

Good point! Our extension agency said you can also get emerald ash borer if chips aren't chopped small enough. A friend of mine got carpenter ants infestation in his yard from using them too. I honestly don't know how you can be sure where the stuff comes from since these companies don't pay attention.

[@timgarner1957]

Another great episode . I feel like you're teaching me something new each time I tune in. Appreciate yah

[@dereeparker2437]

Love these kind of videos. So Informative. Thanks Jim!

[@JimPutnam]

Thank you so much for the feedback

[@mahdibalanganchanel7405]

​@@JimPutnam Thank you so much info👍🌿

[@cherylstrawn9448]

I have a large flower bed along the side of my front yard (100 x 30ish), which had been overgrown for many years. We cleaned out the brush and sapplings, and limbed up some of the large trees this summer and then covered with hardwood mulch until I can start planting this spring. I recently planted some bareroot shrubs and a few dogwoods from a local Arbor Day giveaway. The soil in that bed was amazing! With each shovel of dirt, I must have encountered at least 6 earthworms, and the rich dark earth went down 6-8 inches before hitting red clay. We have approximately 80-100 trees, mostly deciduous, on our 1.5 acre property, so we invested in a gas wood chipper/shredder. We shredded leaves and have used them for mulch in our foundation flower beds. **A side question for anyone: Have you ever heard of a mock olive shrub/tree?** We have a 3 foot evergreen shrub in our backyard foundation bed that the original owner of the house says is a mock olive. It has leaves that are 6 inches long from where the leaf attaches to the main stem to the tip of the leaf. It endured the 2-4 degree weather at Christmas and the recent ice storm, and came through with absolutely no damage. The original owner's brother is a professor of botany at the University of Puerto Rico, so she often knows her stuff, but I am not familiar with a mock olive. I am in 7b in North Mississippi.

[@Bjohnson1945]

I wish there was a market for Sweet Gum Balls... I must have 50 million of them in my front yard. As far as I can tell they don't have any redeeming value. Thinking of cutting down all my Sweet Gum Trees.

[@lukerobson4962]

I love how you edge. You are an edging machine. You make it look so easy in all your edging videos.

[@sammysworld5485]

I started having my landscaping gardener run leaves through his mower to create organic mulch for my garden & when I dug the dirt I couldn’t believe how rich my soil was. Nature is the best mulch.

[@RiafromtheNetherlands]

This is exactly how I do it. I Wished that more gardners garden this way. Nature knows the best.Beeing to tidy isn't good for the soil en little creatures.

[@marybeth4002]

Again, always great sound advice and information. I am fortunate that spring and summer greet you before me (Michigan 6a) - that way I haven't missed a window in what I need to do. Thanks!

[@dylan8285]

I’m glad u do things the way u do Jim. Watching u and Laura somewhat balances me. The natural more laid back u have then her spendy spendy, tidy, and worrying about stuff.

[@mollypitcher9380]

I’m going to be trimming back the butterfly bush ….THANKS for reminding me to just cut of the thin branches and put into the (“chop and drop”) garden. AND WEEDING!!!!

[@joannc147]

I’m a few miles from you and I have 1/2 acre of sand. Lots and lots of sand. Over 9 years of mulching, I now have amazing soil! Currently removing ornamentals to make way for some veg and some grow bags of veg. As I go along, my hens are scratching up a bunch of soil and eating weed shoots & bugs (I have plenty of both). Don’t know why they call it “Henbit” when the hens will NOT eat it! Great guidelines in today’s video. ❤️ Guess I better get out there and do some work!

[@JimPutnam]

It's amazing how soil can change over time!

[@Pervydachny]

Thanks Jim for the tips! What a smart dog😘🐶🌿💛💙

[@conniewojahn6445]

When using a chipper shredder, best results - and less clogging up - are achieved when the material is as dry as possible, meaning both moisture dry and brown dry - NO green stems, leaves, etc., unless you want to constantly open up your shredder and clear out material. Moisture and green will not cut properly and will - no doubt about it - eventually pile up inside and cause a clog. Hard learned lessons are those best remembered. Happy shredding!

[@patrickmcmahon191]

Love this video! Thank you for the great advice, instructions, and modeling!

[@dianegentry3255]

Great info again! Very practical!

[@freyartz]

Learned so much. Thanks!

[@n0nitwitz]

Thank you Jim for the detailed info on what is too much and how best to distribute the leaves

[@B30pt87]

Excellent video!

[@isabellajespersen5730]

These videos are highly appreciated. Thanks Jim 😊

[@JimPutnam]

Thank you for following along with them

[@kristymarie6065]

I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you

[@katiekane5247]

I had always enjoyed some perennials like Heuchera & Tiarrela as winter interest, not this winter in my N. Georgia yard! They're slowly leafing back out so should be glorious come spring. This was a test winter for sure.

[@janebutler5643]

Thank you. I have some work to do!

[@irinaa3825]

We were able to even out the slope in the garden by using leaf mulch, got the ground working, lot’s of worms in the ground now, soil is working

[@scallywags12]

I let the leaves on the ground all the time and put extra on bare spots. Also add compost or any cut up garden debris from my chipper. I like your tips and thanks!

[@sherriianiro747]

Talk about timing - I just saw a video on KZbin today that was doing the opposite and said to trash the leaves because of mites and vermin. Unbelievable! I started leaving them a few years ago and I have noticed a considerable difference in improved hardiness and the health of my landscape!

[@sherriianiro747]

@@patslack6921 I had the same issue when I left too much and they were matted so remove a little & cover with mulch like Jim said will work. Also, the year I had the moles was when there were no natural predators - fox, possum, skunks and racoons were killed. Now that they are back I haven't had any problems - especially with mice!

[@sherriianiro747]

@@patslack6921 Also, moles and voles are attracted to moisture. Growing up we had an orchard surrounded by mowed grass - never leaf build up, but when that area started becoming wet the moles literally went to town on the fruit tree roots and created trenches everywhere. My father regraded and amended the soil which got rid of them and saved the trees.

[@lisahutchens8062]

Well, I should have waited until the end of this video because you answered my question. LOL

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thanks Jim. ❄️💚🙃

[@teddorsi5371]

FIRST COMMENT! Loropetalum!!

[@JimPutnam]

Overgrown Loropetalum pruning in the next one🤣

[@ashleighnelson512]

😄💚😄💚😄💚

[@lyceum4177]

​@@JimPutnamgood, bc mine is GINORMOUS

[@dianebright9366]

Jim, I always visit your channel first for good info and suggestions. The small green chipper that you are using: do you recommend it, and does it take leaves as well as thin branches?

[@helenperalta3555]

Jim, I am always so appreciative for the knowledge your share with us. Question: I direct sowed some seeds that needed cold stratification. If I mulch, will my seeds come up through the mulch? Don’t the seeds need sun to germinate? Okay one more question: Does the mulch stay on the ground. I have seen other seasoned gardeners pull out mulch that has been sitting for years in garden makeovers. What’s the trike of thumb on longevity of mulch?

[@debbiefortner2405]

Great video! What brand of a Electric chipper is that in your video? I am very interested! Thanks!

[@dianetemple4243]

I used to have a garden cart like that and I loved it. Is that a recent purchase and if so where did you find it ? I haven't gotten around to read distributing my leaves yet but I'm itching to cut back my grasses and doing some serious weeding.

[@sctrojanballer123]

Very helpful Jim. Question, I am planning to have my Loquat tree trimmed. I was thinking to ask the workers to save me the wood chips to use as mulch on my new veggie garden that I am starting. But I read those wood chips should be aged a few months otherwise they would cause nitrogen deficiency. What's your take on that?

[@sheilamason5132]

Hi Jim. I got a mugo pine as a Christmas gift. The specs said it grows to 25h x25 w. Can i keep it in the pot, or can I plant ii the ground. With pruning, can i get it to stay under 3ft.

[@missdeeva2266]

With the organic fertilizer is it okay to do it on all those winter damaged plants that we are not pruning on yet? We are getting ready to mulch but I had wanted to fertilize 1st. Just not sure we should or not.

[@odonnellfamily5]

God created the most beautiful system for plant nutrition with the dropping of its own leaves. See Back to Eden gardening for more info on this beautiful process.

[@lisahutchens8062]

Hi Jim. thank you for this video. You mentioned in a previous video that you use one general fertilizer for pretty much everything. What do you use and when do you apply? I live in the Seattle area, zone 8B.

[@rachelsgarden]

Hi Lisa! He uses Plant Tone 😊 Try searching Jim Putnam fertilizing on KZbin for more videos/info about how to apply it.

[@oursaviorsride]

Good morning, we live in Tri-Cities, that means zone 6 which we have alot of desert so we planted alot of pine trees that are hardy to this area, You can't use pine needles for mulching can you? With the sap in the needles I wouldn't think that would be very good for some plants? Connie

[@KKRiver861]

Is it OK to mulch the ligustrum/privet and use that for mulching the garden/trees?

[@EarthSojourner]

Would running a mulching mower over the not-woody trimmings work? Help?

[@twilde3754]

Jim, I have a question: I have a bed with two viburnum (snowballs bushes) that I covered with about 4 inches of hardwood mulch last May. No one ever enters the bed so the mulch hasn't moved but maybe flattened a bit. Should I "fluff up" the mulch this spring or just leave it alone? Should I add new mulch to this area? Thanks!!!

[@adz5bneweng589]

I get big bags of Espoma products...the ones I get are 28-30 lbs. Plant-tone, bio-tone, rose-tone, flower-tone, and holly-tone. Many, many bags that I pre-order from my local garden center.

[@JimPutnam]

I do the same. I only use plant tone. My ph is already low enough that holly time is unnecessary. Plant tone also contains biotone.

[@adz5bneweng589]

@@JimPutnam I help friends with their gardens and teach them some gardening along the way, so my order is usually big. I also use more plant-tone than anything else. In my zone 5b/6a garden, I have areas more alkaline so Holly-tone is used and sometimes soil acidifier. I also find alkalinity in soil surrounding large, older cement structures like pools and their concrete decking. I LOVE bio-tone and, even though plant-tone contains some, I use bio-tone with almost all new or transplant plantings.

[@irinaa3825]

@@JimPutnam for some reason garden centers have Holly tone in 27 lbs bags and plant tone in 8 lbs bags, they used to have it in bigger bags as well

[@adz5bneweng589]

@@irinaa3825 I pre-order the larger bags so I can be sure to get some.

[@robertmajoros3788]

What’s your feeling about going to Johnston County recycling center to get free mulch. I’ve always been afraid of bringing in weeds and disease. I signed up for that mulch service drop off and nothing for over a year. Thanks

[@rachelsgarden]

In areas where previous mulch is intact do you recommend pulling back to apply fertilizer? Would throwing it out there still be effective?

[@JimPutnam]

I wouldn't pull the mulch back. I will throw it out on top before a light rain. Not a monsoon.

[@inesrodriguez2023]

Hi Jim can you give me information about the pot next to your right? At 12:27 I have the same one but much bigger didn’t left it outside this winter because I was afraid it would crack 😅 zone 6b, the reason I bought it was because the pot itself is so pretty I would love for it to to stay outside all year! Thank you 😊

[@judyholbrook7915]

Is mulch dangerous to cause termites? We had a wooden porch and over time we noticed termites. My husband thought the mulch brought them to the porch. I’m not sure. I like using mulch in my garden and we disagree so I need some professional opinions. Thank you😊

[@lindylou3519]

Do you have to shred leaves that have fallen or can you leave them whole in beds & throw decorative mulch on top? Shouldn’t they end up breaking down?

[@JimPutnam]

I leave them whole, but I thin them out if it's a very thick layer

[@colsen4616]

Will a shredder handle wet leaves? Big leaf maple leaves are too large to leave in place or even compost whole, and in the pnw they mostly fall during wet months. Any suggestions?

[@JimPutnam]

They also make electric leaf shredders as well. I have found a lawn mower more effective

[@josweatt898]

Yes! I purchased a Sun Joe Leaf shredder. My mower does not have a basket on it and the leaves I gather are my neighbors. It does wet leaves

[@josweatt898]

Jim what do you suggest to use for getting rid of Poa Annau? I hand pull weeds but I always get a bunch of dirt with these devils and a divet in the soil. What about the new product Roundup for lawns. Reg roundup kills the grass. I hate to use any poisons but that stuff is next to Impossible.

[@aurasomaonebay2455]

what zone are you in? I viewed a few videos, went to your fb page, but am unable to find what zone you are in. Looking for 5b zone garden channels. thanks!

[@dianegentry3255]

He’s in 7b

[@aurasomaonebay2455]

@@dianegentry3255 thank you Diane

[@cindymeyers394]

Jim, where do you get your triple shredded mulch in the raleigh area?

[@JimPutnam]

Capitol Mulch or Mulch Masters

[@cindymeyers394]

Thank you!

[@kimberly8185]

Hello pretty Holly girl ❤️

[@tazcutts3434]

Stop talking move on