5 Varieties Of Garden Mulch

Mulching is an essential part of gardening because it keeps plants looking beautiful and productive all year. Mulch is a protective layer to apply to the top of the soil and around your plants to cover it. And this covering aids in the reduction of leaching and soil erosion, prevention of weed growth, the conservation of moisture, maintenance of soil temperature, and the creation of an attractive backdrop for your garden. It is one of the highly effective and beneficial soil supplements you can use in your garden. Here are five varieties of garden mulch.

Wood chips, nuggets, or barks

Hardwood and softwood bark, chips, and nuggets—byproducts of the lumber and paper industries, respectively—are typically aged and dried and sometimes dyed red or black before being sold in bags. Hardwood is best suited for use around trees, shrubs, and perennial beds, whereas softwood (typically made of pine) is best suited to use around large trees and shrubs. Because pine is slightly more acidic than other organic mulches, it takes longer to decompose.

Straw

Straw and salt marsh hay are both cheap and effective coverings. Clean straw from wheat, barley, or oats is ideal for lightly mulching newly seeded lawns. The straw mulch keeps the grass seed from washing away, keeps birds and rodents from eating it, and holds the moisture the seeds need for good germination until it decomposes.

Grass clippings or shredded leaves

You don’t need to go out and buy organic mulch when you can make your own with just grass clippings or shredded leaves. Leaves that have fallen from trees can be used as mulch and are readily available in the yard and garden. It is free, requires little effort, and has excellent functionality. Shredding is needed to create mulch from leaves since a thick layer of leaves can obstruct airflow and water absorption by retaining moisture for an extended period, causing fungus and rotting. Leaves that you cannot use for mulch can be composted. Grass clippings are readily available, but they should be dried first or spread thinly to avoid a hot, slimy, stinky mess.

Crushed stone, gravel, marble, or brick chips

Lava rock, crushed gravel or crusher dust, marble chips, and pea gravel will not deteriorate, making them a popular choice for walks and pathways due to their one-time cost and labor investment. It is primarily used for Mediterranean-type and succulent plants, as it provides long-lasting mulch and aids in soil evaporation reduction. It includes items such as river stones and gravel, which can be used to create an eye-catching design feature in your garden.

Rubber mulch

The mulch is made of rubber from discarded, shaved, or chopped tires, as the name implies. Because of their excellent soil insulation, these rubber mulch can be used as an outer covering for plants. It also has little to no water loss; also a high elasticity which allows it to withstand falls better. It is both inexpensive and long-lasting. However, it does not improve the soil and may contain some chemicals. As a result, you should use it with caution and knowledge.