RAISED BEDS & MULCH

[leolady]

Does anybody else do both? If so, what are your pros and cons?

I haven't taken any photos of my garden this year, but here are some photos from last year.

:corn:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/choclatechef/DECORATING/BACK%20YARD/000_0004.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/choclatechef/DECORATING/BACK%20YARD/000_0005.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/choclatechef/DECORATING/BACK%20YARD/000_0006.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/choclatechef/DECORATING/BACK%20YARD/MulchBed.jpg

[ChowderMan]

mulch is essential - whether you're dealing with raised beds or not. I don't have raised beds - but I mulch to the max - all the mulch I can get my grubby little fingers on . . .

it helps keep the weeds down, and promotes a more even soil moisture.
dig it in at the end of the season to increase the organic matter in the soil.

[Leni]

You're right on chowderman.

[Mr. Green Jeans]

I have used grass clippings in my gardens for years with positive results. Note: NOT after an application of broadleaf weed herbicide. The practice virtually eliminated blossom end rot on tomatoes which is from moisture stress. Plus that was a nice addition of organic matter tilled in for next season's crop. Mulch away!

[loboloco]

Mulch we use regularly i our garden, and we occasionally grow potatoes in a raised bed because of our soil density. In the fields not so much.