“Getting mulch?” enquired Ontario farmer Charlie Farquharson. You should be. Snow cover is becoming increasingly problematic, perennials are increasingly exposed to winter destruction. The answer, as Charlie knew, is a good thick mulch. Unfortunately home compost, superior in every respect, is too often a thing of the past. Composted livestock manure would be an acceptable substitute but the price by the bag . . . If not manure by the cubic yard, then consider straw. Check garden centres for bales left over from Halloween décor. After the ground freezes, break up and spread several inches thick and water down to prevent straw being blown over the rest of the garden – and the neighbour’s.