Fall is Upon Us...

As the leaves begin to change shades and fall to the ground, and the temperatures dip from brisk to chilly, we become aware that Winter is just around the corner. But does this mean that gardening activities should come to a standstill?

We happen to live in one of the most mild climates around, which allows us to garden nearly year-round. In fact, this is believed by many to be one of the best times of year to plant in the Bay Area. While temperatures above ground are dipping and we have to put away those flip-flops for a couple of months, the temperature in the soil remains fairly constant. While you aren't seeing much new growth on plants above ground right now, there's a lot still going on in the soil. Setting plants in the ground now where it's still warm spurs their roots to grow and gain a foothold for Spring's explosive growth above ground. So planting now really gives your garden a head start for Spring and Early Summer maturation.

But planting now also requires some protection from the colder months still to come. Adding mulch to your planting, whether it is already established or just being installed, provides an added blanket that your plants will surely appreciate. Not only will they benefit from the protection from extremes in temperature, mulch also acts as a sponge to retain rainwater and prevent run-off erosion. And it's decorative.

But not all mulches are the same, nor do they serve the same purposes. To learn more, contact Jackson Landscape today.