What is Mulching in Gardening?
A mulch in the garden is basically a ‘covering’ placed on the surface of cultivated soil. They can be applied to bare soil, around plants, or to cover the surface of compost in containers.
What is Mulch Made of?
Organic mulches commonly include materials such as bark, wood chips, straw, leaves, and compost. Bark, when chipped or shredded, forms an aesthetically pleasing and durable mulch, while wood chips contribute to effective weed suppression and moisture retention. Straw serves as a lightweight mulching option with slow decomposition. Alternatively, there are various types of decorative gravels and slates available to use as mulch.
Is Mulch the Same as Bark Chippings?
In essence, while all bark chippings are a form of mulch, not all mulches are bark chippings. Mulches can be made from a variety of materials, including wood chips, straw, leaves, gravel, and more. Bark chippings, offer specific advantages such as durability, a pleasing aesthetic appearance, and the ability to regulate soil temperature effectively.
Benefits of Using Mulch in the Garden.
Using mulch is one of the best things you can do to improve the health of your garden, and, if you get creative, it can be got for free. Whatever your choice of covering, they all serve the same valuable purpose, which is to reduce the need for weeding in the garden. In addition, it helps to preserve water, deters some pests, protects the roots of plants from extreme temperatures and gives a decorative finish.
Using Weed-Supressing Fabric Under Mulch
It was common practice some years ago to place weed-supressing fabric under a mulch to help reduce the need for weeding. However, whilst it is true that using landscaping fabric does help with garden maintenance, it is not easy to get to the soil once the fabric is in place, so adding organic matter is difficult. Beautiful gardens need good soil and one of the best ways to improve soil is adding organic matter as an annual job. In my garden I add home-made compost and well-rotted manure topped with a thick layer of bark mulch every year as a winter task.
What is Strulch?
Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of materials as a mulch, including a disastrous experience with cocoa mulch, which my Labrador thought was a great idea to eat. As a consequence, I can say with some authority that if you have a dog, please avoid using cocoa mulch in the garden! There is more advice on this website: Apart from that, all the organic mulches I have used and have been beneficial to the soil, including Strulch, which I used for the first time last year. Strulch ® is a light and easy to use, made from wheat straw for organic gardening. It worked but it did get blown about when I applied it on a particularly windy day. I used it under strawberries, and it worked well to keep the slugs at bay. However, it did break down into the soil very quickly so I’ll need to top it up this year again.
What is the Best Mulch to Use?
Having tried almost all, I’ve found the best mulch for my clay soil is well- rotted bark, that’s the very fine sort, not fresh. Bark breaks down gradually to release nutrients into the soil and help improve its structure. It will need replacing when it has fully rotted down and the key is to apply a thick layer. An 80L bag will cover an area of about 1 meter. I get mine from a local tree surgeon but leave it to rot down for at least six months before using it in my garden, to avoid depleting nitrogen from the soil as it breaks down.
When to Use Mulch?
Before dormant plants have properly emerged from their winter slumber is the best time to apply mulch to the borders, working it around the spring bulbs. It makes a perfect way to start the new gardening year!
Is Mulch the Same as Compost?
Mulch and compost, while both essential components in gardening and landscaping, serve distinct purposes and exhibit fundamental differences in composition and function. Mulch primarily functions as a protective layer covering the soil surface, aiming to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. On the other hand, compost is an organic soil resulting from the decomposition of various organic materials, such as kitchen scraps, garden waste, and manure. The composting process transforms these materials into a nutrient-rich mix that improves soil structure. Unlike mulch, compost is typically incorporated into the soil, contributing to long-term soil health, and promoting plant growth. While both are valuable in gardening, they address different aspects of soil health and plant cultivation.
What are the Disadvantages of Mulching?
mulching in gardening and landscaping comes with certain drawbacks that require careful consideration. One significant disadvantage is the potential for over-mulching, where an excessive layer of mulch is applied around plants. This can impede water penetration, leading to waterlogging, root rot, and other moisture-related issues.
Overly thick layers can also create a haven for pests and rodents, introducing the risk of increased pest-related challenges. Improper mulching practices, such as piling mulch against the base of trees or plants, commonly known as “volcano mulching,” pose a risk of stem and trunk rot.
What is the Best Homemade Mulch?
The best homemade mulch often depends on the materials readily available and the specific needs of the garden. Compost, straw, and wood chips stand out as versatile and effective options, wood chips from pruned branches or discarded wood can also be repurposed into homemade mulch. These chips provide a durable and aesthetically pleasing ground cover, suppressing weeds and promoting moisture conservation. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the wood is free from diseases or pests that could be transmitted to the garden. Another homemade mulch option is straw, I use the leftover straw from my chicken’s bedding.
Whether utilizing commercially available or opting for homemade solutions like compost, straw, or wood chips, the careful application of mulch can play a big part in making your garden plants healthier.
