Daily gardening tip · Northern hemisphere · Sunday 13 September 2026 · early autumn
Mulch Shrub Borders for Autumn
Applying bark mulch to your shrub borders now helps lock in vital soil moisture before the ground cools down for winter.
30 minuteseasymulching
Clear away any weeds and fallen debris from the soil around your shrubs.
Water the soil thoroughly if the ground is dry.
Spread a layer of bark mulch about two to three inches deep over the soil surface.
Pull the mulch back a few inches from the actual stems of the shrubs to prevent rot.
Why it works
A thick layer of bark mulch acts like a blanket over the soil. It slows down water evaporation, keeps soil temperatures stable as autumn nights get colder, and helps prevent new weeds from taking root over the winter.
Euphorbia pulcherrima is a tender tropical shrub in the Euphorbiaceae family native to Mexico and Central America. It is widely recognized for its showy, colorful floral bracts surrounding tiny yellow cyathia blossoms
Scientists Develop Ultra-Low-Cost Hydroponic Growing System
Plant scientists designed an inexpensive hydroponic setup using simple thirty-cent pots to grow plants without soil. Growing plants in water and liquid nutrients allows researchers to observe root growth clearly and control nutrient levels. Reducing equipment costs makes plant science experiments much more accessible for laboratories everywhere.
Kew Gardens Released First State of the World's Fungi Report
On 13 September 2018, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew released its first comprehensive global report on fungi. The report highlighted the crucial role fungi play in plant health, soil ecosystems, and carbon cycling. It brought worldwide attention to fungal conservation and new discoveries in plant-fungal interactions.
