Don Francios with the Marshall County Master Gardeners has advice for gardeners around this time of year when showers are much needed and the subsoil moisture is low. He says that mulch beds are much better for gardens than rock beds.

He says that with mulch it is much easier to uproot weeds naturally and you only need weed killer periodically. The mulch needs to be refreshed every year.

He says the prairie hay is also a great weed barrier and a good mulch for vegetable gardens because it disintegrates into the soil for the next and makes it richer, which makes the plants grow better. It’s also cheaper and gives more coverage than expensive mulches like cedar. He says that picking the seeds out of fruits and vegetables that you buy and using them to plant your garden is acceptable but does not advise it.

Francios says that when you buy them, you know they have a chance to germinate and what will grow from them. He also says to start slow when planting gardens and not till up your whole yard if you are new to gardening.

Jesse DeMeyer, News Reporter