If you’re relatively new to gardening, you may have heard the term “mulching” all over the place. If it leaves you confused, don’t. It’s actually a very simple concept and you can easily do it at home. The result is healthier plants and overall less outdoor maintenance.
Simply put, mulch is a layer of material that you put on top of the soil around your garden plants. This can range from homemade compost to leaf mold, gravel, etc., and all have their benefits.
To get the most out of your mulching, there are some helpful tips to remember, such as when and how to mulch. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know to get started, with tips from the experts.
As a former gardener, Holly always leaves a generous layer of bark chips on newly planted beds. And for her assignment, she used a combination of landscaping fabrics topped with bark debris to keep weeds out of the trails.
What types of garden mulch are there?
There are two main types of mulch: biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
Biodegradable (also called organic) mulch breaks down over time.Aaron Green, Founder of Essential Home and Garden (opens in new tab)cites compost, grass clippings, finely chopped leaves, and bark as examples. It is easy to spread and has the effect of improving the soil by decomposing. “But this type of mulch needs to be replaced every few years,” he says.
Non-biodegradable (or inorganic) mulches do not decompose. Think gravel available on Amazon. (opens in new tab), pebbles. Landscaping fabric (also available on Amazon) (opens in new tab)) is another non-biodegradable option and a popular choice in home gardens. They’re a lower-maintenance option, but they don’t add nutrients to the soil. I warn you. “If you need to dig the soil and move mulch, choose organic mulch. If you just want to put it down and forget about it, choose inorganic mulch.”
Gravel is a good mulch for dry gardens
(Image credit: David Winger/Alamy Stock Photo)
What are the benefits of mulching?
Mulching is beneficial for multiple reasons.
Weed control:
One of the biggest benefits of mulching plants is that it delays the need to remove weeds because it blocks the sunlight needed for growth. As Deborah Niemann, owner of Thrifty Homesteader (opens in new tab) Some people describe weeding as a wonderful Zen time, but it gets old quickly. I love mulch because it reduces weeding time to almost zero.
Moisture retention:
Mulching prevents the rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil. That means plants don’t need to be watered as often, says Deborah. This is especially useful when drought is expected. “When you can’t rely on Mother Nature to water your garden, you suddenly realize how much water your garden needs. Become.
Soil improvement:
As mentioned above, biodegradable mulch breaks down. Some types, especially leaf molds and home-made composts, improve the nutrients in your garden’s soil. They also benefit soil structure by improving aeration and drainage.
Compost mulch breaks down over time, improving soil fertility and structure
(Image credit: Ozgur Coskun/Alamy Stock Photo)
Provides winter protection:
Think of mulch as a blanket that protects your plants from harsh winter weather. “The most important thing to do for winter is to mulch your plants well with compost, wood chips, hay, or similar organic biodegradable material,” says tree doctors, plant health care professionals, and Chris Kemp, Plant Manager, Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service, Health Care and Tree Care Division (opens in new tab) in Elliott, Maine.
“This layer protects the plant’s roots by moderating soil temperature and retaining moisture around the roots during cold spells and dry seasons,” he says. If you live in a warmer climate, you can use a layer of protective mulch instead of lifting and storing the tubers until warmer weather arrives.
Enhanced aesthetic appeal:
Last but not least, mulching can improve the overall appearance of borders. can.
Bark chipping enhances the aesthetic appeal of garden borders
(Image credit: FotoHelin/Alamy Stock Photo)
Mulching method
Mulching is a must for low maintenance perimeters. Just cover the entire bed. However, you can also apply mulch around individual plants. For the latter, aim to expand the mulch to match the diameter of the plant. Remove all weeds before applying and water if dry. Doing so traps moisture. “Keep it away from the crown because when it rains, it can trap moisture and rot the crown,” says gardening expert John Negas. amateur gardening magazine.
If you’re using a landscaping cloth over your flower bed, you don’t need to remove the weeds from the soil first. It can be planted by simply cutting a cross in the fabric. You can then lay mulch over the fabric to give it a nicer look.
Mulch the border once or twice a year.
(Image credit: Island Images/Alamy Stock Photo)
How thick should the layers of mulch be?
when laying mulch [aside from landscaping fabric], lay a layer 2 to 3 inches thick. Too thin and you won’t get the full benefits of mulch, but too thick and it can become a host for harmful pests,” says Aaron Green.
Do not spread the mulch too thin
(Image credit: ronstik/Alamy Stock Photo)
When should borders be mulched?
Mulching can be done at any time of the year, but most gardeners treat it as a job in late spring or early fall, or both, depending on whether replenishment is needed.
Mulching early in the gardening season can choke baby weeds before they have a chance, says Deborah.
Mulch applied in the fall provides all-important winter protection. Apply it before the soil hardens with frost, advises John Negas. “In addition, because the soil retains warmth from the summer sun, earthworms are still active today, integrating mulch into the soil and improving beneficial humus storage,” he adds.
Making effective use of fallen leaves in the garden by making leaf shapes
(Image credit: Deborah Vernon/Alamy Stock Photo)
Avoiding problems with mulching
- Beware of Pests: Mulch can attract pests, especially slugs and snails. Be vigilant and if you find them, use natural slug control methods such as beer traps.
- Leave a gap around the stem of woody plants: Otherwise, the mulch can weaken and rot.
- Organization: “A freshly mulched bed or border is irresistible for birds. The only thing you can do besides putting it back into the yard is put up a little fence around the property so the material stays on top of the soil.” Luckily, there are plenty of stylish garden edging ideas out there.