How do you plant seeds in a garden bed full of mulch? America’s favorite retired college horticultural professor, Debbie Flower, and I quickly answered that and then veered into a very scenic bypass - as is our custom. This time: we rank garden mulches from best to worst. If you want to know the best products to use for a mulch - and the ones to avoid - you’ll want to listen. 
Also: what the worms in your worm bin are trying to tell you about what they want in order to be happy, this fall and winter.

It’s episode number 284, Mulches Ranked from Best to Worst. Fall Worm Bin Care.

We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory. It’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots, and Dave Wilson Nursery.  Let’s go!

Previous episodes, show notes, links, product information, and TRANSCRIPTS  at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred, GardenBasics.net. Transcripts and episode chapters also available at Buzzsprout

Pictured: Four High-Ranked Mulches: Arborist chips, compost, straw, shredded leaves

Links:
Subscribe to the free, Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter https://gardenbasics.substack.com
Sept. 22, 2023 Newsletter: The “Fast Food” Garden
Flashback Episode: #238 Teaming with Bacteria


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Links Mentioned in the Podcast:

Sacramento Tree Foundation’s Mulch Rankings
Sheet Mulching
Vermicomposting (Raising worms for worm castings)

All About Farmer Fred:
The GardenBasics.net website

The Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletter, Beyond the Basics
https://gardenbasics.substack.com

Farmer Fred website:  http://farmerfred.com
The Farmer Fred Rant! Blog   http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com
Facebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"
Instagram/Threads: farmerfredhoffman
https://www.instagram.com/farmerfredhoffman/
Twitter: @farmerfred
Farmer Fred Garden Minute Videos on YouTube

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