Adding mulch to your garden or flower beds helps retain moisture, suppresses weed growth and germination, adds nutrients to the soil, and reduces labor. Most mulches are beneficial but there are some you should stay away from. Here are some of the best and worst choices.
Why Mulch
Adding mulch around your plants requires a little time and effort. The long-term benefits are well worth it. Mulch should be 2” – 4” thick. Thinner layers may not prevent weed growth and too much prevents water from reaching the soil.
- Weed Prevention. Mulch keeps sunlight from reaching the soil and nourishing weeds. Even sprouted weeds can’t penetrate the mulch cover.
- Moisture Retention. Mulch absorbs water and keeps the soil damp. It also slows evaporation.
- Adds Nutrients. As it slowly decomposes, mulch adds nutrients–like nitrogen–to the soil to feed your plants.
- Erosion Control. Mulch prevents water runoff and wind from depleting topsoil. It helps resist pests.
- Aesthetics. Mulch looks better than raw dirt–especially in the spring before plants spread out.
Best Mulches
Knowing your soil pH before choosing a type of mulch is a good idea. Some mulches make the soil more acidic. If you already have acidic soil, avoid making it more acidic.
Ensure that your mulch is clean. No weed seeds. No pests. No residual chemicals that can ruin your garden soil.
Pine Needle (Straw) Mulch
Pine needle mulch decomposes slower than most other mulches. It helps turn alkaline soil slightly more acidic. Pine straw is very light and will not compress soil and roots. It allows water to penetrate easily but still prevents weed growth.
Pine needle mulch is 100% organic and forms an interlocking blanket that does not wash away. It is available online, from nurseries, and big box home building centers. The needles look natural in your garden or flower beds–especially if you have pine trees in the yard.
Bark Mulch
Bark mulch decomposes slowly and rarely requires replacing. It works best around trees, shrubs, and berry bushes where there is less foot traffic to disturb it. Bark chips do not form a tight mat so they are not as effective at preserving moisture and preventing weeds. Plan on a 4” – 6” layer for best results.
Many gardeners use a combination of 2” – 4” of wood chips or straw topped with about an inch of bark. The lower layer provides good moisture and weed control. The bark is attractive and aromatic–especially pine bark.
Straw Mulch
Organic straw mulch adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. It absorbs and holds moisture and forms a solid mat to prevent weed growth. Thick straw mulch keeps vegetables–such as cucumbers, squash, watermelons, and pumpkins–off the ground–helping to prevent rot and some pest infestations.
Straw is relatively inexpensive–especially if you are close to a farm that bales straw in small square bales. Make sure it has not been sprayed with herbicides and it is not moldy before spreading it on your garden.
Grass and Leaf Mulch
Leaf and grass clippings are free–either from your yard or a neighbor’s. They decompose quickly and add nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil. They allow moisture to get through to the soil and prevent weed growth until they decompose. Grass and leaf mulch require regular top-ups to work efficiently.
Very thick mats of fresh grass clipping heat in the sunlight and grow mold quickly. Moldy grass smells foul. Don’t use it close to the house.
Pick up leaves with a lawn mower and mulching blade to shred them. Unshredded leaves create a mat in the garden and prevent water penetration.
Wood Chips, Shavings, and Sawdust Mulch
Wood chips, shavings, and sawdust are ideal as mulch around woody plants like berry bushes and fruit trees. They are long-lasting, allow water penetration, and smother weed germination. Wood-based mulch should be replenished every year or two. It adds organic matter as it decomposes and does not significantly impact soil pH.
Chips are usually available in bulk from tree maintenance companies or local composting programs. If you have access to a wood chipper, make your own from tree branches, tree pruning, or other wood-type growth on your property.
Worst Mulches
Some mulches look pretty, last forever, or are easy to apply and maintain. Many of them are not the best choice for your garden or flower beds.
Dyed Mulch
Dyed wood chips are popular because they are attractive and are available in multiple colors–red, green, brown, or black. They are made from recycled wood–such as pallets or demolished buildings. Much of this wood contains preservatives, paints, and other chemicals that contaminate the soil and vegetables it comes in contact with.
Rubber Mulch
Rubber mulch is often used in playgrounds and some landscaping applications because it doesn’t rot, doesn’t attract insects, and doesn’t require much maintenance. It is made from chopped-up recycled tires. Nothing is done to effectively remove toxins like aluminum, cadmium, zinc, and more.
Rubber mulch contains oil, acids, sulfur, metal, and many other additives. Chopped rubber releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs)–especially in warm weather. It is highly flammable. It doesn’t work well to control moisture or weeds. It requires a layer of landscape fabric before installation. You should never use rubber mulch in gardens or flower beds.
Plastic Mulch
Plastic mulch–usually a black plastic sheet–does not allow water penetration or nutrient absorption–and often makes roots too hot. It does prevent weeds from germinating below the plastic but weeds will grow in any dirt that collects on top.
Plastic mulch degrades into microplastics that get into the soil and can be taken into plant roots. Microplastics have been found in potatoes, broccoli, lettuce, carrots, apples, and more. The longer the plastic remains on the garden, the better chance of degradation and microplastic contamination.
Stone Mulch
Rocks, gravel, and granite are not truly mulch but many people like the look and maintenance-free quality. Hard mulch allows moisture to reach the soil but does not preserve it. Stones heat and speed evaporation. Over time they compact the soil. Weeds grow through the gaps.
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