Mulch for Herbs

Retains Moisture

• Laying a 4-inch layer of mulch over your herb beds prevents water from washing away and taking valuable nutrients. A solid mulch layer allows the underlying soil to soak up more water than unmulched areas. Ensure you water the plants, not just the mulch. Target the underlying roots by utilizing a drip irrigation system. Check the soil rather than the mulch to determine water needs. Poke your finger through the mulch layer and into the underlying soil to check for dryness.

Erosion and Weed Control

• An evenly laid, thick mulch layer helps prevent weed growth as well as maintains the soil quality by reducing erosion of the soil. While it will not eliminate all weed growth, it reduces the number of weeds and makes it easier to pull any weeds that do poke through. The mulch forms a protective layer, which holds the underlying soil in place.

Moderates Temperature

• Mulch moderates soil temperature. While there are some hardy herb varieties, including parsley and sage, many herbs, such as basil, mint, lemon balm and thyme, do not fare as well in fluctuating conditions. Mulch keeps the root system, crowns and stems of your herb plants warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Use additional mulch in cool areas to help warm the soil earlier in the season allowing for an early crop planting.

Mulch Types

• The only special requirement for mulching herb gardens is to ensure the safety of the mulch you are using. Avoid products treated with chemicals and pesticides, as they will be exposed to the plants and can be dangerous when consumed. Sand, cut grass and newspaper work well for herb-bed mulching.