I would apply mulch now. Fall weed seeds can most certainly infiltrate the area and the mulch will protect against soil temperature fluctuations. I see no reason to wait. FWIW, I always mulch immediately after a new planting regardless of time of year.

If you have voles in your area, applying mulch now is a TERRIBLE idea. They're attracted to mulch like moths to a flame. Ask me how I know.

Bellafiore, where are you located?

tj

I'm with the do it now faction, and for all the reasons mentioned. I do not agree with the assertion that voles are especially prone to inhabit mulched areas. Mostly for those guys, I think of tall grasses and weedy areas.

+oM

The voles that I had always lived under my junipers, which I eliminated partly because of that problem. I also had bait boxes out for the last couple years, so I'm hoping I eliminated the voles as well.

tsugajunkie, I'm right where you are!

I'm looking at pine bark mulch in bags at Ace, since it's easier to carry in to my beds. I don't think it's the kind of mulch that voles like.

To be fair, maybe voles do like mulch and "live in it" somewhere. I've not seen it, but who knows?

+oM

Voles actually were one of my concerns, that mulch could provide another layer of cover for them in the winter. I know they love to eat the bark off the shrubs and small trees in winter. Had dead brown limbs throughout the junipers every spring, which was just one more reason that I hated them (voles and junipers both!).

Voles probably not particularly interested in conifers. And you should have mulch on beds of decorative plants throughout the year anyway, as these do a lot better when this is present. Also there is less weeding for you to do.

If you have snow in the winter, that provides cover for voles as much as mulch. I find that the voles are quite happy to rummage around in my mulch, but they also rummage around in my unmulched beds, just a bit less.

My mulch is hardwood, not pine.

My mulch is pine BARK, very different than shredded hardwood mulch, more like little chips. I don't think it gives the same shelter for the voles as shredded, which is one reason I changed. The other is because it doesn't break down as fast, so lasts longer. Plus, I like the look of it.

Bark nuggets don't do the job of weed control as well as ground up bark or woodchips of equal thickness. Buying mulch by the bag in your case is not cost effective.

Whatever you use as mulch, don't put it up against the trunks of trees and shrubs. That will help a bit on vole damage because they can't hide under it while eating. Snow is a whole 'nother ball game. I've never been bothered by voles so I can't offer much along that line. They're just not a problem in my garden and I'm out in the country with a lot of plants.

Are you sure the voles were causing the dieback on your junipers? Did you actually see the teeth marks? A lot of junipers have branch dieback for a variety of reasons and not necessarily voles.

Mike

Mike, Thanks for your reply. I think it was a bit of both the normal dieback and the voles eating the bark, because I did see bark eaten away.

The pinebark mulch is like little quarters that sit flat, so they have done a good job of weed control. And I can't find it except in bags. Also, I can bring it home in my jeep, saving on delivery and they also give me a deal if I buy enough.

Oh, OK. I'm used to Doug Fir nuggets. They're chunky.

Plus a large pile takes up space, usually in the driveway or on the lawn. That gets in the way rather quickly.

Mike

I've got some older beds with nuggets that are mostly shrubs and I add more now and then. Any of my new beds with perennials and bulbs, I am liking the pine bark mulch a lot.

My next door neighbor, a Christmas Tree farmer, lost about a thousand of his Christmas trees, several years ago, to voles. They LOVE conifers. He was pissed!

ilovemytrees, that is a sad story. voles are so destructive. They almost destroyed the lawn here and it was a battle to get rid of them. still see a little damage occasionally, but not like it used to be.