What is mulch?
There are two types of mulch:

1) Biodegradable mulches include compost, woodchip, spent mushroom compost, leaf mould and well rotted manure.

2) Non-biodegradable mulches include products such as Slate, Sea shells and Gravel. These materials perform the same function as biodegradable mulch but do not improve soil structure. Weed suppressing membrane is particularly useful for low maintenance areas and can be covered with bark chippings for an attractive finish.

Why mulch?
Applying mulch to flower beds, especially those with a high proportion of shrubs, will provide a number of benefits:

1) Reduce weeds
2) Retain moisture
3) Improve the soil structure
4) Protect roots of tender plants left in the ground over winter
5) Provide a tidy looking finish

How to apply mulch
On beds and borders I like to apply a 2 – 3 inch covering of soil improver after removing all weeds when the soil is moist.  Take care not to smother small, low growing plants and do not mulch right up to the stems of woody plants as this might encourage rotting.  Where there is limited space in between plants I put the mulch into a rubber trug which makes it easier to spread.

If you’re using home made compost be careful as it can often contain high levels of weed seeds. I would personally recommend using weed free compost such as Miracle Grow Soil Improver or Levington’s Soil Conditioner for £5.99 per bag from Ingatestone Garden Centre. Save your home made compost for working into the soil or backfilling when planting.

1) Why prune roses? If rose bushes are left un-pruned they will, over time, become woody and congested.This will result in a large amount of dead wood, crossing branches and reduced amounts of flowers. The main aim of pruning is to manipulate the plant into producing new wood on a rotational basis so that the structure of the plant is made up of wood no more than three years old. In this way the plant can potentially live a great deal longer than if it were left un-pruned.

2) When should I prune roses?
Spring is the perfect time to prune Hybrid Tea (large flowered) roses and this is a job that I have been carrying out in a number of gardens in Ingatestone lately.

3) Where do I start?
The first thing to do when pruning a rose is to remove any branches that are dead, dying or diseased.

4) Where should I cut?
Pruning cuts should be made just above an outward facing bud with a sharp pair of secateurs (I use Felco number 8 from Ingatestone Garden Centre) angled away from the bud. If you are pruning in the spring it will be easier to see the buds as they will be starting to break.

5) How much should I cut back?
Prune back to within 4 – 6 inches above ground level. You may find you are only left with 3 or 4 branches to cut back, this is fine, if the plant was very congested and you are left with a lot of material to cut back then be ruthless and remove any weaker looking stems and remove the centre of the rose to form an open bowl shape.

6) Add Fertiliser
Once the job has been completed it is a good idea to clear under the plant and remove any old leaves, debris and weeds. Then apply a thick layer of well rotted manure or balanced fertiliser available at Ingatestone Garden centre, around the base of the plant.