How to Use Cedar Chips Around Daylilies

Overview

Daylilies are among the easiest plants to grow. They are extremely hardy, disease-resistant, and require very little care. However, daylilies, like any plant in your garden, can benefit from mulch. Cedar chips are excellent for inhibiting weed growth, repelling harmful insects, keeping the root system of your daylilies cool, helping the soil to retain moisture, and providing your landscape with a neat and finished look. Furthermore, it can add nutrients to the soil as it decays. Finally, cedar chips even smell good.

Step 1

Fertilize your daylilies in the early spring. Before applying the cedar chips, you should first fertilize your daylilies. Apply a time-released balanced fertilizer that can be purchased at any garden center. Follow the directions on the package.

Step 2

Cover the daylilies with the cedar chips. Spread the cedar chips around the base of the daylilies in a 2-3-inch thick layer.

Step 3

Water your daylilies. You should give your daylilies a good drink after applying the mulch. (The mulch will also keep the soil from washing away.) Allow your sprinkler to water them for 20-30 minutes. Daylilies are perennials with roots that need to grow deep into the ground. This means that each time they are watered--about once a week--they should receive at least one inch of water, which encourages roots to extend downward into the ground. By watering 20-30 minutes, you provide your daylilies with this minimum amount of water needed.

Step 4

Fluff the mulch in the middle of the summer. As the season progresses, the cedar chips will settle. Use a rake and "fluff" the mulch around the daylilies. Just use a little back-and-forth motion with the rake to stir up and loosen the cedar chips a bit.

Step 5

Cut back your daylilies in early-to-mid fall before applying new cedar chips. After all of your daylilies have ceased to bloom, cut them back about an inch from the ground.

Step 6

Apply another layer of cedar chips. You need to provide your daylilies with protection during the winter months. After you have cut them back, apply a 2-3-inch layer of cedar chips.