Types of mulch

Improve your garden

Mulch is a gardener's best friend. Mulching flowers, trees, shrubs, and vegetables will not only keep your plants healthy, but also will drastically reduce the amount of time you have to spend weeding, watering, and fighting pests in your garden.

Using mulch also improves the appearance of your garden and keeps dirt from splashing on your flowers and vegetables when it rains. It also helps conserve moisture loss from evaporation and keeps the soil well-aerated by reducing soil compaction.

Mulch materials

There are two basic types of mulch; organic and inorganic. Both types have benefits in the garden and may be used for different purposes. Use the lists below to explore the advantages and disadvantages of some common mulch materials.

Organic

Organic mulch is made out of natural substances. Because it is natural, organic mulch decomposes over time improving soil by adding nutrients. Many organic materials can be used as mulch. The materials should be weed free and non-matting. If the materials are readily available it will save you time and money. These types of materials decompose quickly, so you'll need to replenish frequently.

• Yard waste. Grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs can be used as mulch in moderation. The backs of shrubs or borders are an ideal place to dispose of small pruning clippings. Ideally, these materials should be shredded or composed before applying, however small amounts can be added to existing mulch.

• Straw. Straw decomposes rapidly, so you'll have to replenish it to keep weeds down. Straw is cheap, but not very attractive, so it is best used in a vegetable garden or on newly seeded lawns.

• Pine bark, pine needles. A layer of pine bark is good for weed control. Pine bark is longer lasting than pine needles, but may get washed away in a heavy rain. Pine needles make excellent mulch for acid loving trees and shrubs. Needles also allow water to penetrate easily.

• Wood chips. This material contains bark and wood pieces of various sizes. It makes attractive mulch and provides good weed control. Small wood chips decompose very rapidly using nitrogen from the soil, which needs to be replaced with a fertilizer. Wood chips may attract insects.

Inorganic

Inorganic mulches do not decompose, so they don't have to be replaced. If you have problems with rodents and insects, or you don't want to constantly replenish mulch, this is the type you want. Inorganic mulch is also great for weed control, but because of its density, you have to be careful that it allows water, nutrients and air flow to plants.

• Rocks and Gravel. Rocks will definitely keep weeds away and will stay put in a heavy rain. You can buy rocks or gravel fairly cheap, but if you're covering a wide area it will take some work to place it because it's heavy to move. When you use rocks in your landscape, they are permanent, so it's best to use them around permanent plantings like foundation plants.
• Black plastic. Plastic is not recommended as a mulch material for landscape plants. While it does help control weeks and conserve water, it does not allow water, nutrients or air to move freely to the soil. Plants with plastic around them often develop a very shallow root system that is damaged easily in drought or cold weather.

• Landscape cloth. You can get landscape cloth in many lengths and widths or cut it to fit your needs. Unlike plastic films, woven materials allow water and air to move through them. They are also very effective in controlling most weeds. You can put cloth down under rocks for effective mulching around foundation plants.

Rubber Mulch

Rubber mulch is a relative newcomer to the mulch market. This inorganic mulch is made from eco-friendly materials that last up to 10 years without fading or decomposing. Rubber mulch is in a category by itself because it is great for use in landscaping and for playgrounds. Here are some benefits of rubber mulch.

• Will not rot or compact even after years of use
• Does not attract harmful insects
• Five times heavier than wood mulches, and will not float or erode during heavy rain or flooding
• Inhibits growth of molds and fungi, reducing allergy risks
• Provides a soft surface to help reduce stress on joints and to keep children safe on the playground
• Absorbs the shock of impact from falls

After looking through the list of mulch materials and weighing the pros and cons of each, you'll know the best choice for you. No matter which material you choose, it's best to apply mulch in late spring after soil has warmed. If you apply mulch too early, it will delay soil warming and plant growth.