Mulch is a superhero in many gardens. It discourages weeds, retains
moisture, regulates soil temperature, and prevents the top layer of
soil from becoming dry and crusty. Some types of mulch also improve the
soil as they decompose.
A variety of materials can be used,
depending on budget, purpose, and desired appearance. For garden
pathways and larger areas, I recommend placing a weed barrier down
first. If this barrier is thick enough, the area will not have to be
cleared of weeds first. Garden stores sell plastic barriers, but these
will prevent water from absorbing into the soil and will quickly break
down into small pieces of plastic. Instead, try layers of newspaper,
cardboard, notebook or copy paper, paper bags, burlap bags, or old
clothes that are 100% cotton. Soak any papers in water first so that
they stay in place until you cover them with mulch. Otherwise, a slight
wind will ruin all of your hard work.
Leaves are a popular mulch
because of their availability. Shred the leaves first to prevent them
from matting as much, which will prevent water and air flow into the
soil. Leaves, however, are not recommended for very windy areas.
Wood chips and shredded bark are another popular mulch and will stay in
place much better than leaves. For best results, allow chips to
decompose for 1-2 years before using them in the garden. If using fresh
chips, be aware that walnut and cedar chips contain a natural growth
retardant that can inhibit the growth of your plants. Also, if fresh
chips get mixed in with the soil at all, they will pull nitrogen from
the soil in order to decompose. Many tree removal services will give you
wood chips at very reasonable prices.
Other natural ideas for
mulch are grass clippings, nut shells (rinsed if they were salted),
small sticks, dried pea pods, straw, pine cones, and pine needles. For
perennial beds that won't be replanted for awhile, broken ceramic pieces
are an option. Pebbles, gravel, or small rocks are good choices for
pathways.
3 inches of mulch is usually recommended, but there
are some things to keep in mind. Mulch should be spread wide around
trees, beginning a couple of inches away from the trunk. It should also
not be piled right up to the stems of plants. To prevent mold growth and
allow proper aeration, use a rake to turn the mulch occasionally. Add
extra mulch yearly to replace any that has compacted, blown away, or
decomposed. Selecting a mulch can be hard somtimes chek this article about diffrent types of Mulch. Other than that, enjoy your garden!
