Daily gardening tip · Northern hemisphere · Sunday 4 October 2026 · mid autumn
Mulch Tender Perennials Before Frost
Insulating the roots of your tender perennials now will protect them from upcoming freezing temperatures before the ground freezes solid.
20 minuteseasymulching
Identify any frost-sensitive perennial plants in your garden beds.
Clear away weeds and dead debris from the soil around the base of each plant.
Pour a thick layer of bark chips, about three inches deep, over the root zone of the plants.
Pull the mulch back slightly so it does not directly touch the plant stems, which can cause rot.
Why it works
A thick layer of bark chips acts like a winter blanket for the soil. It traps residual ground heat and cushions tender root systems against sudden temperature drops and the destructive freeze-thaw cycles of winter.
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