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While garden mulching is often associated with spring cleanup and fresh plantings, it’s just as important to apply mulch in the fall.

Here are six things fall mulching can do for your garden:

1. Protects tender roots and plants 

Consider fall mulching like tucking your garden in for its winter slumber — and helping ensure that the roots of any new fall plantings you just put down are protected from temperature extremes.

“One of the best reasons for mulch is to protect the root ball through dormancy,� says plant expert Tamara Hogan, of Fast Growing Trees.

2. Reduces the need for watering

Just like your spring and summer mulching helped keep moisture in the soil, your fall and winter mulch accomplishes the same task.

3. Helps reduce soil erosion

Rain, wind, and winter storms can shift all the topsoil away from your garden, which can deprive your plants of nutrient-rich soil. A good layer of mulch can help buffer the effects of storms and keep your soil where it belongs.

4. Feeds your plants 

If you use a natural mulch that can decompose into the soil, such as straw, shredded leaves, pine needles, wood chips and bark, it will gradually release nutrients into the soil that’ll help feed your plants all year long.

5. Creates a polished look 

“Mulching in the fall is a great way to add some polish to the landscape beds that may have dormant spots from perennial plants,� says Cate Singleton, director of design at Bower & Branch.

6. Provides shelter for wildlife

Insects that overwinter in organic materials, including butterflies and moths, some bee species and fireflies, will appreciate the cozy shelter your mulch provides.

Tips for fall mulching

Here’s what you should do to ensure your garden mulch is on point.

Focus on the newest plants first

“You can mulch the rest of the garden, but the most productive mulching will be around young plants,� Hogan says.

Weed and prune beforehand

That protective mulch also can keep your weed roots healthy and strong — not exactly what you want for next spring when you’re doing your pre-season clean up. “Pruning prior to laying a new layer of mulch will give the best manicured appearance,� Singleton says.

Use wood-based or other organic mulches

Hogan recommends using mulches like pine straw, wood chips or other organic materials, which can decompose and add nutrients to the soil, among other benefits.

Be careful with placement

You want to keep mulch at least three inches from the base of your tree trunks, and also away from the stems of plants, Hogan says. “If the mulch creeps up the base of your trees, it can cover up the root flare, which is very important for communication throughout the tree.�

Ensure that you mulch deep enough

You should have two to three inches of mulch on your garden to help your garden reap the benefits. You’ll want to measure the depth of the mulch currently on your garden, as you may only need to apply another inch if you still have mulch coverage from your spring application.