Mulch Ratings and Applications
Mulch is "Mother Nature's blanket."
Whenever leaves fall from trees, that area is being mulched. Over a period of time, that layer of leaves decomposes, giving nutrients back to the soil, and, eventually, back into plants.
Mulching is one of most important functions you can do for your garden. Mulch keeps in moisture, improves the soil, and keeps out the weeds. In addition, it gives the landscape an attractive, well—groomed look.
Organic materials are the best to use, since artificial products can't improve the soil's tilth.
But there are some commercial and inorganic items that are beneficial and can be used.
Below is a list of mulches and how to apply them.
Some have pitfalls and others are expensive, but I promise you, there's a mulch that's right for your gardens.
Mulch Ratings and How To Apply It
Cocoa bean shells—Good—leave a delicious fragrance in the air. Should not be used if dogs and cats are on the property.
Coffee grounds—Poor—best to use in compost pile, slightly acid. High in nitrogen and trace elements.
Compost—Excellent—use partially decomposed material 3-5 inches thick or well cured compost under other types. The more decomposed material can be mixed in with the soil.
Corncobs (ground)—Good—apply 3 inches deep. May need to add extra nitrogen if mixed in with soil.
Cornstalks (chopped)—Fair—apply 3-6 inches deep in vegetable gardens. Good for winter mulching.
Cover crop—Good—preferably use a legume planting, especially useful with winter plantings. Try perennial rye grass.
Cottonseed hulls—Fair—apply 3-4 inches deep.
Cypress chips—Good—apply 3 inches deep.
Fiberglass matting—Good—may even repel pests, Good for oxygen and water penetration. Use organic on top to improve appearance.
Grass clippings—Good—if left on lawn. Mix with other materials in the compost pile. Poor if used too thick because of matting and fermenting, best if allowed to dry and then use a thin layer.
Gravel, marble chips, crushed stone—Poor—best used at 3-6 inches in common area. They will tend to heat up soil. Marble best used around acid—loving plants.
Hay, field grass—Excellent—harvest before allowed to go to seed; apply 4-5 inches deep in ornamental beds, 6-8 inches deep in vegetable gardens. Use for winter protection. Alfalfa is the best; legume hays are high in nitrogen.
Lava rock—Fair—apply 3-5 in deep; some people feel will aid plants because of the paramagnetic properties.
Leaves—Good—run through a shredder and mix with other material before applying 3 inches deep. Contains many trace minerals. Earthworms love leaves as food. This is how mother nature protects her trees.
Manure—Fair—apply only after composting it. Use well rotted or strawy manure. Fresh manure can burn plants. There are many different types and most will work and handle the same way.
Newspaper—Fair—not attractive so apply small layer of another type on top.
Nut shells—Good—apply 3 inches deep. Best to compost first, high in nitrogen, and inexpensive. Especially attractive, partial mix with soil may be necessary.
Peat moss—Poor—is too expensive, poor water absorption.
Perlite, Vermiculite—Good—useful in pots and for tiny seedlings.
Pine bark—Good—use 3 inches deep, attractive, long lasting, but may need extra nitrogen or put on top of compost.
Pine needles—Excellent—apply 3-5 inches thick on gardens and ornamental beds that need acidic conditions. Attractive, inexpensive, and easy to apply. Excellent mulch around blueberry plants.
Sawdust—Poor—best used in compost piles, small pieces seal off oxygen exchange. Don't till into soil because of the high nitrogen requirements to decompose.
Shredded hardwood bark—Excellent—apply 3-4 inches deep, long lasting but should not be tilled in because of high nitrogen requirements. The types can be any hardwood tree.
Shredded tree trimmings (from your area)—Excellent—apply 3-5 inches deep, best of all—cheap and full of nutrients. In my opinion, the best type to use.
Straw—Good—apply 3-5 inches deep in ornamental beds. Use 6—8 inches straw. Use for winter protection and makes Good paths in flower and vegetable gardens.
Woven weed barrier—Good—allows moisture and oxygen to penetrate to soil and encourages Good growth of plants. It would be Good for butterfly gardens.
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Enjoy This How To Garden Mulch Video
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