This process of soil nourishment dates back to ancient Rome when stone mulch was used to warm the soil. Mulch has a direct impact on the richness of the soil and, inevitably, the plantings. Many good blends of organic mulch are available today, or you may choose to go with readily available materials such as pine needles, straw, bark, small wood chips, or even seaweed or seashells in shore areas. Of course, shredded leaves make an excellent mulch. Run your lawnmower back and forth over a low pile of leaves then place the shredded material directly on rosebushes, flower beds, young trees, and bushes.
Snow can make a cozy blanket, but it works best when mulch, boughs, or straw are already in place.
Remove these winter blankets gradually in early spring when the frost is over and add these coverings to your compost pile. Improve your lawn's quality before winter sets in by adding a good-quality nitrogen fertilizer to the soil. If your lawn seems thin, sprinkle some bluegrass seed in the fertilizer, as fall rains and cool nights provide perfect conditions for young grass. Late fall is also an ideal time to plant new trees. With a newly purchased sapling, dig a hole twice the diameter of the soil ball surrounding the roots and combine peat moss and compost into the soil for nourishment.