You probably heard the word mulch mentioned by your gardening enthusiast friends. And now you’re wondering what it is and what it does.
Well, mulch is a vital part of maintaining landscapes and gardens. It provides plenty of decorative and practical benefits to plants and soil, making it one of the most popular topics among gardeners.
In today’s article, I’ll talk about mulch—what it is, its types, and why you need it for your garden. I’ll also provide some insights on when to mulch and help you with your first mulching project!
What Is Mulch?
If you’ve ever helped with garden or yard work, you probably experienced chores involving shovels, rakes, and soil. And if you’re observant enough, you’ve likely seen plenty of wood chips, compost, leaves, or similar materials.
That’s mulch.
Mulch is the layer gardeners and lawn owners place on the soil’s surface for plenty of gardening reasons. Most gardeners often use organic materials, especially around plants, but some also use synthetic mulch, such as stones and fabric, for aesthetic purposes.
Types of Mulch
Here are six of the most common mulches you can find in gardens and lawns:
1 – Bark Mulch
Bark mulch is a favorite among gardeners because it lasts longer. As its name implies, it’s a mulch created from tree bark, such as the waste material of sawmills.
This mulch is thicker than most and is best around shrubs and trees. But you can also use it for your house’s walkway or around the plants framing your home.
2 – Pine Straw Mulch
Pine straw is mulch made from fallen pine needles. It’s lighter than other organic mulch and is preferable for its stable and cohesive properties.
Pine needles provide high amounts of nutrients to plants. Thus, most people spread them around their garden flower beds and plants.
3 – Fallen Leaves
Shredded fallen leaves make some of the best mulches for vegetable beds. It provides plenty of benefits, from soil enrichment to moisture retention.
That said, if you prioritize aesthetics, leaves can look unappealing. So, I’d suggest using leaves for informal settings like woodland gardens.
4 – Newspaper
Newspaper is a new trend in gardening circles as mulch. Layered correctly as mulch, it can help your landscape’s water retention and offer benefits similar to regular mulches.
One caution to remember when using newspaper as mulch is to steer clear from glossy and colored pages.
5 – Plastic Fabric
Landscape fabrics are excellent choices for their clean and uniform aesthetic. You can use them on plants surrounding your home’s foundation.
The plastic fabric works best for preventing weeds. However, it has a few setbacks, like high temperatures, which can impact plant and soil health.
6 – Stone and Gravel
If your plants are hardy enough to handle heat, gravel and stone work well as mulch. They work exceptionally well in spaces requiring continuous drainage, like a rain garden.
One benefit of using stones and gravel as mulch is the aesthetic they provide. They’ll add texture and visual interest to your outdoor plants and spaces!
Why Do I Need Mulch?
Adding mulch to your garden can bring many benefits. It benefits your prized flora, garden beds, and the overall appeal of your landscaping.
One crucial profit you can gain by mulching is improving the soil’s quality and growth. Organic mulches, for example, decompose into nutrients to sustain your beloved plants and flowers.
Aside from soil nourishment, having a pile of material on your garden beds will also cut weed seeds from receiving sunlight. Thus effectively suppressing invasive weeds from growing.
But that’s not all.
Are your beds prone to drying? Laying one to three inches thick of mulch on top should help retain moisture by regulating the soil temperature.
Are your landscapes experiencing high levels of erosion? Spread synthetic mulch to shield the earth from wind and water to keep it intact.
When Do You Need Mulch?
The best time to mulch is in early Spring when most weeds germinate, especially after a light rain. Mulching at this time will help deter weed growth and help your soil adjust to the changing temperature.
Of course, you can mulch during Summer, Winter, or Fall, as it can help protect your plants from various elements, like the cold, rain, or extreme weed growth. Still, expert mulchers will agree that Spring is the best time to lay mulch.
Here’s a tip:
Don’t forget to watch the weather when planning to spread mulch. Avoid mulching if you’re expecting rainfall in your area to prevent the fresh layer from running off.
FAQs
What are some disadvantages of mulching?
Using mulch for landscaping and gardening brings numerous advantages. However, if done incorrectly, it can also cause detrimental effects to your soil and plants.
Over-mulching, for example, can result in soil compaction and suffocate your prized flora. Additionally, the mulch can become a breeding ground for insects and pests that eat your flowers.
Do I need a weed barrier under mulch?
You won’t need to lay a weed barrier under your mulch. Spread thickly and evenly enough, the mulch itself will prevent weeds from germinating and growing.
Also, if you place a weed barrier, the decomposed organic mulch won’t be able to provide nutrients for your plants.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a newbie gardener, knowledge about mulch is essential to your toolkit. Who knows that these seemingly insignificant garden materials serve plenty of benefits?
Used properly and timely, mulch can improve your home’s landscape and garden. And you have plenty of options, depending on the function and aesthetic you want to aim for.
Have fun gardening!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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