Installing mulch in your flower beds is a great gardening habit. Mulch suppresses weed growth, helps soil retain moisture, and keeps soil cool in hot weather. In colder climates, mulch protects plant roots from the cold and helps prevent frost-heaving, whereby plants are pushed out of the ground due to the natural expansion and contraction of the soil as it heats and cools. But what kind of mulch is best for your yard?
Below is a summary of different mulches available. Some are free, right in your own backyard. Some you can purchase locally. Each has pros and cons. Experiment to find out what you and your plants like best.
Grass Clippings
Grass clippings are free, readily available, and easy to apply. Grass clippings decay quickly, so you’ll need to reapply often. You may want to avoid using grass clippings if you use weed killers on your lawn, as this can adversely affect the other plants in your garden. Apply an inch or less at a time so the clippings won’t get slimy.
Wood or Bark Chips
Wood chips are a very attractive mulch to add to your garden, and they are slow to decay. If you apply pine bark mulch, be aware that it is fairly acidic; it should be applied only around plants, such as azaleas, that prefer an acid soil.
Dead Leaves
Decaying leaves are great for suppressing weeds, and they help your soil retain moisture. However, decaying leaves aren’t as attractive as other mulches; in addition, if they contain seeds, they can germinate and cause weed problems.
Compost
If you maintain your own compost, it’s free and plentiful for your garden. Compost also adds beneficial nutrients to your garden soil, but it can be a good place for weeds to take hold.
Peat Moss
Peat Moss is a very versatile mulch, and it looks neat and tidy. It also functions as a soil amendment, adding beneficial nutrients to your garden. However, it can be expensive and become crusty over time.
Straw and Hay
Straw is very economical and easy to apply. It’s lightweight, so it has a tendency to blow away, and it isn’t particularly attractive around ornamental plants.
Gravel, Pebbles, or Stone
Stones have a nice, neat look, and they are easy to apply. They won’t wash away and will last a long time. They won’t need to be replenished over the course of a season, but they can allow weeds to sneak up through the cracks, and they don’t provide any benefit to your soil’s nutrients.
Garden Plastic or Landscaping Fabric
These materials keep weeds at bay and hold in moisture and warmth. However, you will need to cut holes in them for feeding and watering, and they are difficult to apply unless you are doing a whole area at one time.
Rubber Mulch
Rubber mulch won’t harbor garden pests and doesn’t wash away. However, it can be expensive and could potentially release contaminants into the soil as it breaks down.
As you can see, there are a wide variety of mulches available for your garden. By understanding the pros and cons of each, you’ll be able to choose the mulch that best suits your needs.
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All statistics are gathered from the Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS®.
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