WVU Morgan County Extension Service

Having troubles in your garden? Try planting nitrogen fixating legumes or beans and other Three Sisters plants! Call 304-258-8400 for more gardening advice from our WVU Extension Master Gardeners of Morgan County

Fun Farm Fact : The Three Sisters Garden is a traditional planting method that grows corn, beans and squash together. Corn gives beans a place to climb, beans help add nitrogen to the soil, and squash leaves help shade out weeds.

Looking for a good mulch for your garden? Here is a fun diagram to explain some with pros and cons. REMEMBER: always do your own research when making a final decision. Call the extension office at 304-258-8400 to hear from expert Master Gardeners!

Mulch can help a garden so much, but the wrong kind can create a whole new set of problems you did not plan for 🌿
🍂 I usually stick with simple options like shredded leaves, straw, arborist wood chips, or plain cardboard under mulch.
🌱 What works best for me is a light, breathable layer that holds moisture without smothering the soil.
🚫 I’m always careful with anything that heats up, mats down, or looks too processed, because that can cause trouble around roots.
🪴 Thick fresh grass clippings are one I avoid using in a heavy layer since they can get slimy fast.
🍅 Around vegetables, I like clean straw or chopped leaves because they are easy to work with and break down nicely over time.