Mulch, Lots of Mulch

10 cu yd of mulch was delivered yesterday. We plan on putting this around the trees in our little orchard. I got started tonight and put out 2 cart loads around the first tree mott or grouping.

I have been learning about soils and plants and what makes them happy and grow well. What I learned is that I have been thinking about it wrong all my life. I thought you fed the plant, but actually you feed the soil. You see, in the soil is a host, billions, of tiny microbes of various types. These microbes are what break down organic matter and feed your plants. They also offer other benefits like drought and disease resistance. They extend the root system through fungal hyphae. In short, there is an entire world working around the roots of your plants.

It is a symbiotic exchange; the plants provide sugars and other things to the microbiome and in turn, it provides disease-resistant bacteria, nutrients, and hydration to the plants. Who knew?

So we are loading up with 6 inches of mulch around the trees, and we will be adding organic matter in the form of compost once the bins are up and running. Oh my aching back, but the trees should be happy and healthy. Hopefully providing years of fruit for us.