Fire Safe Gardening

Posted By Firefox on March 17, 2009

Every time I give a talk, I will mention mulch. I get lots of questions from the audience and it turns into the “mulch hour”.  

What is a simple way to improve your garden overnight? Mulch!

A layer of chopped bark makes an attractive and effective mulch

What is mulch? Mulch is layer of organic matter, usually chopped bark, compost, chopped leaves, grass clippings or a combination of them all.  The layer needs to be laid over the soil to form a blanket.

What does mulch do?  Mulch is like insulation on a house.  It protects the soil from extremes of heat and cold, and slows evaporation so irrigation is more effective.  Mulches keep roots cooler in summer, warmer in winter. Mulch can also help keep soil frozen in cold climates so that it does not thaw too quickly, causing frost “heaving”.

Sheet mulching involves several layers laid over a old lawn

What happens when mulch breaks down? Mulch is the natural way to feed your garden! You want the layer of mulch to be slowly composting and returning to the soil.  This encourages healthy strong plants that will need less care and fertilizer. Nature creates mulch when trees drop their leaves in fall.  These leaves break down over winter and become food for the forest. Mimic nature and you will never go wrong!

Can I use manure as mulch? Yes, well rotted manure makes a great mulch! Back in our grandparents time they did not call it mulch; they simply spread aged manure all over the garden in spring. It was not tileld in but simply left to compost down over summer, holding in moisture and feeding the garden slowly and organically.

Is mulch fire safe? Mulch is made of organic materials that can burn, but when used properly as part of an over all fire safe plan, mulches do not pose much threat for fire safety.  Mulches are much different than a messy leaf litter strewn garden. Mulches are chopped materials that harbor moisture. Leaf litter is simply an accumulation of dry leaves, not composting actively, that can burn easily. Of course, mulches should not come in contact with structures.  The area within the last 3 feet of your home is the best palce to have a paved pathway to reduce fuels and provide access for firefighters.

Categories: organics and sustainability
Tags: Fire Safety, mulch, organic gardening