Mulching is a simple and inexpensive process of keeping your garden healthy and flourishing. The techniques involve using organic materials such as leaves, wood chips, or bark to layer the soil around your plants.
If you are a gardener or aspiring to be one, this article is a must-read. We’ll explore the benefits of mulching and guide you on choosing the right mulch and how much you should apply.
But first, we take at the different types of mulch.
Types Of Mulch
Mulch is a wide range of materials that can either be classified as organic or inorganic. The two categories have their pros and cons. Here’s a look into each.
Organic Mulch
Organic mulch is material derived from living matter. This can include grass clippings, straws, or leaves. These natural materials can suppress weeds and offer nutritional benefits for your garden.
Inorganic Mulch
Inorganic mulch is made from non-living matter. Ideally, they are synthetic materials such as stone, plastics, or landscape fabrics.
How to Choose The Right Mulch
Finding the right type of mulch to use in your garden is necessary. Both organic and inorganic mulch have numerous benefits for your garden. But some benefits outweigh others.
When selecting the right mulch, consider your garden’s needs and overall appeal. Here are some of the best mulch choices before you hit the ‘mulch for sale near me’ button.
Wood Chips
Wood chips are a cheap option. You can source them from three companies that usually give them out for free. The chips are best for trees and shrubs, offering a protective layer for their roots. This mulch decomposes at a slow rate and is ideal for flatbeds.
Compost
Compost is another cheap option that you can make at home. You can make compost using kitchen waste, leaves, or grass clippings. Essentially, compost looks like soil, only that it is darker. This mulch is suitable for repairing soil and adding nutrients.
If you’re sourcing compost from a company, testing for any weed seeds is best.
Gravel
Gravel mulch is not applicable in all situations. While they can improve your garden’s appeal, gravel mulch works best with succulent plants or winter gardens. This is because gravel absorbs heat better than organic material, maintaining an optimum temperature for plant growth.
Straw
Straw mulch acts as an insulation layer, keeping your plants warm in the winter. The mulch breaks down faster. However, it can reduce nitrogen levels in your soil. To counteract this, add some nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Cedar or Pine Chips
Mostly regarded as bark nuggets, cedar, or pine chips have an ornamental appeal that improves your garden’s appearance. The chips also decompose at a much slower rate than wood chips.
The chips’ natural oil is also a pest deterrent that keeps your plants healthy.
Fresh cedar chips can take up nitrogen from your soil, depriving your crops of any. So, ensure you use dried and aged chips.
Plastic Mulch
Plastic mulch is commonly used in commercial agriculture. P[plastic materials regulate the soil temperatures, retain moisture, and prevent weed growth. Plastic mulch comes in various colors, which can enhance your garden’s look. The colors are plant-specific, providing varying benefits. For instance, red plastic is best for strawberries and times. In comparison, green plastic improves the growth of cucumber and melon plants.
Benefits of Mulching
Mulching offers plenty of benefits for your garden. It helps the soil retain moisture while also enhancing its nutrient properties.
It is also a recommended practice by scholars that improves crop health and enhances the aesthetics of your outdoor space.
Here is a complete rundown of the benefits.
Retains Moisture
Mulching creates a protective layer between the soil and the atmosphere. The layer reduces the rate of evaporation, which helps the soil retain moisture. This process reduces your need to water your plants and provides optimal conditions for your plants to bloom.
Suppresses Weeds
Weeds are a healthy garden’s greatest enemy. They antagonize your efforts and, if left unattended, can suck the life out of your plants. Mulching protects your garden by providing a protective layer. This layer prevents weed seeds from taking up any space in your garden. Additionally, mulch impedes the growth of weeds by blocking the sun.
Regulates Temperature
If you live in a hot region or experience periods of hot weather during the year, mulching keeps your plants cool in extreme weather conditions. The natural layer protects the plant roots from adverse hot or weather conditions, maintaining a balanced soil temperature.
Improves Soil Fertility
Mulching improves your garden’s health by improving its soil structure. Organic mulch uses natural materials that decompose, adding vital nutrients to your garden soil. Inorganic mulches improve aeration conditions in the soil and alter its water content. These enhancements improve the overall health of your plants.
Prevents Erosion
Gardens on sloped grounds or areas with heavy rainfall commonly experience soil erosion. This can disrupt the balance of your soil, affecting plant growth. Mulching helps by providing a barrier that protects the garden soil from raindrops. The mulch also reduces the amount of surface runoff.
Protects Your Plants
Mulching can also help keep pests and insects at bay, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Organic mulch materials like cypress chips have natural properties that prevent insects and pests from attacking your plants.
Mulch also reduces the chances of soil-borne diseases impacting your plants. The protective layer reduces the spoil splash on your plants, improving their health.
Enhances Plant Growth
Mulching provides a conducive environment for your plants. Given all the benefits mulching offers, from retaining moisture to disease protection, the technique promotes the growth of your plants, translating to a rich and healthy garden.
How To Apply Much In Your Garden
Applying the right amount of mulch in your garden is essential for maximizing its benefits. The following steps will guide you on the practical mulch application.
Step 1: Prepare the Soil
Start by preparing the garden or area you intend to plant. Clear any debris or existing weeds. If possible, you can create raised beds to boost drainage and aeration.
Step 2: Choose the Right Mulch
Choosing the right mulch for your garden depends on your needs. Organic mulch improves your soil quality while also providing nutrients for your plants. The mulch is capable of suppressing weeds and maintaining soil moisture. On the other hand, inorganic mulch improves your garden’s aesthetics and low maintenance.
Step 3:Determine the Mulch Depth.
The right mulch depth depends on the type of mulch you use. For organic mulch, apply a depth of 2 to 4 inches. A depth of 1 to 2 inches will do the trick for inorganic mulch.
Step 4: Apply the Mulch
Apply our mulch while leaving some space at the base of the plant stems. This prevents the build-up of water that could stimulate plant rot. Ensure you spread the mulch evenly. Once done, gently tap it down.
Step 5: Maintain the Mulch
After a while, the mulch will decompose or settle. Regularly check for the mulch depth and add more to maintain its effectiveness.
Conclusion
The benefits of mulching are extensive. It is a simple way of giving your garden the boost it needs. If you are in an urban setup, mulching can complement your outdoor aesthetics, adding more value to your home.
