resource conservation, ecosystem health, sustainability

In New England, rain has been abundant most years. We have had droughts, some quite serious. But for most of recorded history, we have been able, for the most part, to rely on rain for our gardens.

Rainfall patterns are changing, however. Based on what I have read and seen, I would not be surprised to see longer and more frequent dry periods punctuated by heavier, stormier rainfall events.

To help your garden deal with alternating dry periods and torrential rains, remember to use a good, organic mulch.

Even if the weather does not get as "flashy" as I suspect it might, mulch is a great idea for the garden.

Mulch protects the soil from heavy rains. The pounding of a downpour can displace soil and cause serious erosion (soil loss) in the garden. It can wash away the surface organic material and nutrients that shallow-rooted plants need. It can, in extreme events, wash away the plants themselves, especially tiny seedlings.

Mulch helps soil hold moisture between rain events. It slows down evaporation.

Mulch provides an environment friendly to worms, our partners in successful gardening. Worms, in turn, provide aeration and fertilizer to plants.