When you buy mulch, what do you get? For starters, it’s a type of soil that is usually used in garden beds. It comes as small pieces of woody material and looks like bark or shredded leaves. You can use them to fill voids around plants, add insulation between the ground and your foundation during winter months, help keep moisture levels low near watering cans (they retain water) or cover paths for those who don’t want mud tracking through their house
Mulch is a type of organic matter that has been used for centuries. It can be made from wood, leaves, or other plant materials. It is spread on the top layer of soil to help retain moisture and prevent weed growth. In this article, we will learn how mulch is used and what it does. Read more in detail here: how to use mulch.
If you’ve ever wondered “what is mulch,” you’re not alone. You’ve arrived to the correct location!
Mulch is an organic or inorganic substance that is laid on top of the soil in a garden or across your landscape as a protective covering. It’s used to preserve moisture in the soil, reduce weed growth, and make the garden bed more pleasant to the eye.
And in this post, we’ll look at the many varieties of mulch, when and when to apply them, and how synthetic and Mulches made from organic materials compare.
Let’s get this party started!
Contents Table of Contents
Contents
Mulch Varieties
Mulch may be synthetic or organic, and there are a few different types to choose from. Let’s take a look at each one:
Mulches made of synthetic materials
Synthetic mulch is a fantastic choice for gardeners who don’t want or can’t keep up with the upkeep that organic mulch takes, or who just like the aesthetic of synthetic material. These mulches do not contribute any nutrients to your beds, but they do keep the soil wet.
- Rocks or gravel
- Tire shreds or black plastic
- Fabrics used in the landscape
Mulches made from organic materials
Mulches made from organic materials are mulches that decompose over time and provide additional nutrients to your garden beds. Because they’re biodegradable, they’re often much easier to replace than Mulches made of synthetic materials.
- Compost created at home
- Hay
- Manure made from compost
- Woodchips
- Clippings from the lawn or fallen leaves
- Newspaper
About Mulches made of synthetic materials and a Look into Their Uses
We’ll go through each of the synthetic mulch possibilities discussed above in further depth in this section.
Fabric and Plastic in the Landscape
Mulches made of synthetic materials like landscape plastic or fabric are great for those looking for a low maintenance option. But they can be a little too harsh for delicate plants and work best when places around trees or other hardy, woody plants. This is because plastic can heat up to intolerable temperatures during the warmer months, killing off healthy organisms in the dirt. Be sure to always cut holes in the plastic or fabric to allow airflow.
When the wind comes up, fabrics and plastics may be rather unattractive if they aren’t securely kept down. (No one wants their lovely flowers to be ruined by black plastic flying in the wind!) Don’t forget to staple the cloth down to keep it from blowing away or shifting!
Also, if you like the utility of landscape plastics and textiles but not the appearance, try laying a small layer of mulch on top of the plastic to conceal it.
ECOgardener Premium 5oz Pro Garden Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric Durable & Heavy-Duty Weed Block Gardening Mat, Easy Setup & Superior Weed Control, Eco-Friendly & Convenient Design, 3ft x 50ft
- Discover The Gardening Solution For Professionals – The ECOgardener ultimate pro weed barrier landscape fabric is designed to make your life simpler and more convenient. This premium weed barrier fabric is designed to deliver unrivaled weed management, boosting your productivity and efficiency!
- Super-Easy to Install and Put-Up – Because the elite ECOgardener weed blocking fabric is light enough to transport and cut while simultaneously being hefty enough to protect your garden, you don’t need to be an expert or hire costly pros to set it up.
- We Know How Much Your Soil Is Worth – Our patented garden weed control mat allows air and water to pass through, protecting the moisture and value of your soil. Weeds will be kept at bay with the ECOgardener’s simple and straightforward gardening solution, which does not obstruct air or water.
- Long-Lasting Weed Barrier Fabric — The ECOgardener pro landscape weed barrier’s heavy-duty, resilient, and strong construction will give you with quality weed prevention for a long time. Assisting you in reducing chemicals so that you may contribute to environmental protection as well!
- 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back – We at ECOgardener think that for your home garden, you deserve the most modern, long-lasting, and professional solution available. That’s why we’re confident in offering a 30-day, no-hassle, full return guarantee on our gorgeous weed barrier fabric!
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Gravel
Although gravel or stones are more aesthetically pleasing than plastic or tire shreds as mulch, they are more difficult to relocate if you decide to redesign your garden area. Not only do they look natural and attractive, but they’re also ideal for plants that want a bit more warmth (such as Mediterranean gardens) or gardens that need to drain effectively.
Keep in mind that weeds may be able to peek through the crevices if you’re using bigger stones. This mulch alternative may need just little upkeep once every several weeks.
About Mulches made from organic materials and a Look into Their Uses
We’ll go through each of the synthetic mulch possibilities discussed above in further depth in this section.
Compost created at home and Composted Manure
Compost, whether purchased or manufactured at yourself, is a fantastic addition to any garden. You may use it as a top layer of mulch to cover and nourish your garden as it develops by inserting a small layer of compost in the plant holes for extra nutrients. You can also use it as a planting medium by placing a thin layer of compost in the plant holes for added nutrients.
Compost created at home can be concocted out of leftover or unused vegetables, fruits, leaves, grass clippings, potato skins, etc — but try to avoid putting meats in your compost because this encourages an outpour of maggots and other unwanted creatures.
Do you need assistance with composting? Take a look at this step-by-step tutorial!
Hay
Hay is a popular mulch for vegetable and fruit gardens. It keeps the pathways from becoming muddy, attracts small critters like spiders that keep plant-eating pests at away, and decomposes slowly (so you don’t have to refill it as frequently).
The EZ-Straw Seeding Mulch is our favorite hay mulch. It’s finely ground, decomposes fully in the soil over time, and may be sprinkled directly on top of seeds to help speed up germination, shield seeds from birds, and prevent them from being blown away if they’re sitting on top of the soil.
2.5 CU FT Bale EZ-Straw® Seeding Mulch with Tack – Biodegradable Organic Processed Straw (covers up to 500 sq. ft.)
- ORGANIC PROCESSED STRAW WITH TACKIFIER – Premium Processed Straw with a bonding agent (Tackifier) that gives the straw a tackiness that keeps it together. This biodegradable natural bonding agent protects grass seed against heavy washout and wind.
- THE SEED IS PROTECTED BY THE STRAW – The straw protects the grass seed from heavy washout, windy places, birds, and other animals.
- EASY TO APPLY – This product has been chopped twice and treated to make it easier to apply.
- TAKE ACTION TO GET BETTER RESULTS – The tackiness of the bonding agent keeps the straw together. Germination is accelerated. Water less often. weed-free to the nth degree
- BIODEGRADABLE – Biodegrades, so there’s no need to clean up once the seed has grown.
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Woodchips
Woodchips are one of the most popular — and visually appealing — mulch choices for flower gardens, under trees, and in areas along pathways. Decorative mulch comes in a number of hues, including black, red, and natural wood tone, and may be found at your local garden store.
Woodchips deteriorate slowly, so you’ll need to reapply the mulch the next growing season. Because you’ll have to dig and work around them every year, they’re not suitable for vegetable or annual flower gardens.
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Leaves and lawn clippings
Leaves and lawn clippings are a highly nutritious and readily available source of mulch. Though you’ll probably want to leave some of the grass clippings on your lawn to fertilize it, collecting any grass that’s made its way onto sidewalks or the road will work tremendously for your garden beds.
For added nutrition, combine any fallen leaves on your yard with the grass clippings. This mulch is ideal for edible garden beds, and as it degrades, it will become very nutritious.
Newspaper
In recent years, newspaper has been a major craze among gardeners. It’s inexpensive, the colors are getting more organic, and it’s great for gardening! If you choose this method of mulching, pile 4-6 sheets of newspaper, soak it, and set it on top of the soil.
For a more appealing look, newspaper should be spread behind a thin layer of gravel or woodchips, similar to how you would use plastic or cloth for your garden beds.
Last Thoughts
When it comes to mulch, you have the choice of either organic or synthetic. Both are effective at preserving nutrients and moisture in the soil, but natural mulches are (in our view) significantly healthier for the environment and your crops.
We suggest using ornamental mulch if you’re searching for a more appealing solution. We suggest hay or grass clippings for edible garden beds since they decompose and offer valuable nutrients to the soil. We suggest landscaping fabric with a thin layer of gravel or woodchips on top for mulch around trees and pathways.
Whatever mulch you pick, you can be sure it will keep your garden looking lush and lovely!
Good luck with your planting!
Mulch is a material that is spread on top of the soil to prevent weeds from growing. It can also be used to cover dead plants, or it can be mixed with compost and used as fertilizer. There are many types of mulch, but one type that doesn’t fly away is black plastic. Reference: best mulch that doesn t fly away.
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