Have you ever tried mulch in your garden?
When you want a low-maintenance garden, there is one thing you should never forget about mulch! This is the bread and butter of a garden that is easy to take care of because it helps you eliminate various tasks such as weeding and watering.
If you never used mulch before, this guide is definitely for you, but if you have used mulch in the past, this is the perfect chance to change things and try something new.
The main goal is to keep the soil moist and also keep the weeds out. The trick is that the barrier created between the soil and the sun will stop the weeds from growing because planting tough is not easy. It will also keep the water in the soil because the evaporation is decreased.
It’s important to know what you are looking for and choose what suits your garden best. Read on and discover the perfect mulch!
1. Wood chips
You’ve probably seen this in many gardens, as regular or dyed wood chips are a quite popular choice. Also, if you ever wondered what happens to the unsold Christmas trees, well, now you have an answer.
When you take them from a retailer, wood chips come in various colors, and they are also sprayed for weed prevention. Generally, the dye used for this type of mulch is carbon or iron oxide-based, which makes them safe for your garden beds.
If we were to compare wood chips to other types of mulch, we could say that they are much bigger in size, and this makes them perfect for landscaping because they should be in a place we don’t disturb at all.
The negative of their small size is that the pieces are readily wiped away. While walking along the sidewalk, you may find yourself repeatedly kicking colored chips back into the ground. Hardwood chips should not be used to mulch slopes.
2. Compost
Maybe you use compost in your garden. This is an amazing thing, but did you know that compost can also be used as mulch? When you add compost, you are creating that barrier between the soil and the rest of the environment, and this, besides making the soil richer and more fertile, also protects the plants.
One thing about compost is that when you decide to also use it as mulch, you should be careful what you choose. For example, coffee grounds compost is a mild nitrogen fertilizer, while mushroom compost doesn’t have a fantastic nutritional value. These differences matter, and you should find out what works best for your garden.
The best part about compost as mulch is the fact that you can get it for free. All you need is a compost bin. The only downside is that this will take some time, but if you want compost fast, you can buy it pre-packaged. Also, compost decomposes quickly, so you will need to replenish it often.
3. Pine straw mulch
No, it’s not fancy. Maybe it sounds like it is, but in reality, it is just dried pine needles. If you have the right trees in your yard, you can get pine needles for free. All you have to do is collect them and later spread them around the garden.
This mulch is perfect if you aim to insulate the ground while also filtering the water. Even more, the soil will be protected from erosion. This is particularly important on slopes or in areas with loose or sandy soil. When laid down as mulch, pine needles create a thick layer that holds the soil in place, preventing it from being washed away by wind or water.
If you have plants that prefer acidic soil, then this is the mulch for you. Azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries, and camellias—these are just a few plants that thrive in acidic soil.
4. Straw mulch
If we compare this type of mulch to other types of mulch, this one will decompose rather quickly. This is both a benefit and a drawback. As it decomposes, it enriches the soil by adding organic matter and nutrients. But because of this, you’ll need to replenish the straw every 1–2 months.
One of the best things about straw mulch is that it is lightweight, making it easy to apply and spread across garden beds. Also, this light structure is beneficial for the soil because it lets the air circulate freely.
But with all of these, it can still retain the much-needed moisture. So, less watering for you. The weather will be cool in the summer and warm in the winter; tell me something more perfect than that!
Being a great mulch, straw can also be used as a growing medium for certain plants. For example, gardeners often grow potatoes in straw mounds. They can also be used as a growing bed for crops like tomatoes and peppers.
5. Plastic mulch
Of all inorganic mulches, this is definitely the ugliest one. But what makes it so special is the fact that it is also the most efficient one if you have a vegetable garden. If you want efficient weed control and soil temperature management, then this is the mulch for you!
It blocks the sunlight so well that it stops any weeds from germinating, securing you a garden with no weeds. By covering the soil with large sheets of plastic and only cutting holes for the plants, you create an impenetrable barrier that inhibits weed growth. We love it because it is so easy to take care of, and you can install it in no time.
One thing that makes it special is that it can also protect your plants from diseases. For sprawling plants like pumpkins, squash, or watermelons, it keeps vines and leaves from coming into direct contact with the soil, reducing the risk of diseases caused by soil moisture or pests that live in the ground.
As a disadvantage, we need to mention that plastic mulch is the need to adjust your irrigation system. Plastic is impermeable, so watering it will not do much. Use drip irrigation systems that run underneath the plastic instead of the classic above-ground watering.
6. Cardboard mulch
If you have overgrown garden beds or you want to prepare a new spot for planting cardboard mulch, that might actually help you. The cardboard creates a thick barrier that suffocates weeds, ultimately helping to reduce the time spent pulling unwanted plants from your garden.
A bonus of this type of mulch is that cardboard is organic, and when it decomposes, it adds organic matter to the soil, making it more nutritious for the plants and also helping it retain moisture better.
For this, you can even use those pizza boxes that are lying around waiting to be tripped out. If you want this cardboard to be more aesthetically pleasing, you can add another layer of mulch, such as wood chips, straw, or compost.
Looking for better aeration in the soil? Then don’t use the cardboard as a whole and shred it. Shredded cardboard is also easier to mix into the soil or blend with other organic mulches.
Ready to make your own compost? Try this: FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter Canadian-Made, 100% Recycled Resin
Ok, so you like a garden that looks fantastic, but what about one that smells fantastic? There are many plants and flowers out there that, besides their looks, are aromatic and offer you a unique olfactory experience: Aromatherapy Garden: 10 Fragrant Plants That Will Delight Your Senses
