[jambop]

OK I have gone mulching mad and tried mulching my leeks and green beans !? Anybody do that? I don't know if it is a good or bad thing but I am trying it out. Things are starting to get warmer now and as we get later into the spring temps are now around 27C and hotter in the sun so I am trying to keep the soil cool and the moisture levels good. If of course it is a bad idea let me know I will whip it off pronto 

[Yorkie]

Never heard of it done for leeks before but I suppose no reason not to.

Only mulch if the ground is wet before you mulch.  Otherwise you're locking in the drought.

[Mr Rotavator]

What did you mulch with?

I mulched some of my beds with seaweed over the winter. I planted my leeks into the beds without digging in the mulch and all is looking good. The shallots and onions are doing very well.

[jambop]

I have just used grass cuttings Mr Rotavator. I have never mulched before but this year I am giving it a try. It gets very hot here in the high summer so I thought why not. I have drip feed watering pipe below the mulch so I can water the plants as well but it should save on water. I am also hoping that the clippings will add to the soil in the beds for next years crops.

[Mr Rotavator]

Mulches do create a lovely habitat for slugs which I found out to my cost with broad beans! I didn't think these beans would be affected but they were.

[snowdrops]

Mulches do create a lovely habitat for slugs which I found out to my cost with broad beans! I didn't think these beans would be affected but they were.

Not if you use composted mulches or well rotted, there’s nothing for the little blighters to munch on so they go to live elsewhere.