Technically speaking, mulch is any material used to cover soil’s surface.
Some types can also add nutrients to the soil.
Wondering if your garden would benefit from mulch?
The Spruce / Michele Lee
Types of Mulch
Some mulches are more aesthetically pleasing than others, while others are more functional.
There are two categories of mulch, organic and inorganic, and both have advantages and disadvantages.
Tip
Thebest time to apply mulchis in the spring when the weather is consistently warm.
But don’t apply it too early, or you may accidentally bury emerging perennials.
Organic Mulch
Organic mulch is made of natural ingredients and will decompose andmust be replaced.
They are also good for front walkways and foundation plantings.
However, they will last longer than finer organic mulches.
They have a high water content and decompose very rapidly.
Grass clippings can get slimy with an unpleasant odor, so use them cautiously.
Grass clippings also tend to get matted and can form a barrier preventing water penetration to the soil.
Ideally, amulching lawnmowerdistributes clippings on the lawn, adding fertility to the soil.
Use your grass clippings on unplanted areas to enrich the soil, or dump them in a compost bin.
However, do not compost or use grass clipping treated with herbicides or pesticides.
Newspaper
Newspapers are a popular mulch option.
Most newspapers have switched to soy-based black inks and hydrogen peroxide for bleaching pulp, both eco-friendly enhancements.
Moisten the sheets and cover the newspaper with 1 to 3 inches of another organic mulch.
The weed protection should last throughout the growing season.
Use newspaper inlasagne gardening, as well.
Leaves also entice more earthworms to your garden soil.
However, unshredded leaves will mat together and repel water in rainy areas.
If that happens, rake and fluff them up a bit if they appear to get matted.
Straw and Hay
Straw and salt hay are popular mulches for the vegetable garden.
They keep the soil and soil-borne diseases from splashing up on lower plant leaves and make paths less muddy.
Straw decomposes very slowly and will last the entire growing season.
Inorganic Mulch
Synthetic and inorganic mulches do an excellent job of holding moisture and blocking weeds.
Similarly, artificial grass carpets can be used in the same way.
Stone is hard to remove, so give it a lot of thought before using it as a mulch.
Gravel and stone are also sometimes used to cover up plastic or landscape sheeting.
Mulch can block plants from emerging and suppress the reseeding of plants you want more of.
It can also be a safe haven for certaingarden pests like slugs.
Inorganic mulch sources can leach substances that disrupt the ecosystem’s natural balance.
No, mulch is not necessary in every garden.
However, mulch is useful in dry climates as it helps the soil retain moisture and water.
Mulch Basics.University of Connecticut Home & Garden Information Center.
Using Grass Clippings as Mulch.University of Minnesota Yard and Garden Extension.
Is Newspaper Safe for Your Garden?Permaculture Research Institute.
The Disadvantages of Landscape Fabric.University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
