#mulch

#mulch

On the other hand, during heavy rains, mulch will absorb excess water, preventing plants from drowning. Some woody perennials, such as hydrangeas, don't like soggy soil; they can suffer root rot and fungal growth. Also, overly saturated soil can lose valuable nutrients through leaching. Mulch helps prevent all of that! Winter precipitation can also add to erosion problems. If you've got a sloped garden bed, a layer of mulch can help prevent soil from washing away.

Girdling is another way to kill a tree, and often this is done inadvertently. Remove tree stakes and supports once the tree is stable. Trunk wraps should not be left in place for extended periods of time. If the wraps were there to protect against sunburn, consider instead painting the exposed trunk with dilute white latex paint (1 part paint to 1 part water). Don't allow vines to wind around the trunk. Although it may look attractive, they can girdle the tree.