Mulch which type is best

If using mulch with fine particles that are 2mm or smaller, mix it with chunkier mulch with a particle size greater than 5mm. Organic mulches add nutrients to the soil, but the rate and extent of addition varies according to their composition and particle size. A by-product of the timber industry, these are usually readily available and, because of their usually large size and freedom from weeds and pesticides, make good mulch. However, if you get them from a local tree feller, they contain quite a mixture of sizes.

It is best to obtain them graded in size from a garden centre. They break down slowly, but use nitrogen from the soil as they do so. This problem can be overcome by sprinkling some organic nitrogen-containing fertilizer on the ground before spreading them. It can also be avoided by using it around native plants with low nutrient requirements.

It is probably wise to ask your supplier for mulch that is from plantation grown timber not old growth forest. This is also a byproduct of the timber industry — pine or hardwoods — and is supplied in different sizes. It is best used on general garden beds. Like wood chips, it also draws nitrogen from the soil as it breaks down.

Obtained from kerbside recycling this mulch contains a mixture of sizes and also, occasionally, bits of glass or other materials. But, a cheap option for general use. Straw is the stem material from grains and legumes remaining after the crop haa been harvested. It is a light mulch which breaks down relatively fast in less than a year. Straw from legumes like lucerne and peas pictured at the top of this article are excellent because they are high in nitrogen, but they can be too expensive to use as a general mulch.

They are best used on areas where the high nutrient content can be utilised best, such as the vegetable garden, and any remaining after the growth season can be dug in. A minor disadvantage is the presence of seeds which may grow — but at least they are easy to remove. Other types of straw are also available e. Unless you live close to the sugar cane area in the north of Australia, it will have a lot of embedded energy due to transportation. Unless you can find a certified organic source of straw, remember it will probably contain pesticide residues.

Hay is cut and dried grass or legumes. Therefore, it contains more nutrients than straw so will enrich the soil. It is, however, likely to contain more seeds than straw and may also contain pesticides. Since water can't permeate plastic, you can't rely on rainwater to properly hydrate your plants. Instead, lay soaker hoses or drip hoses on the soil surface before you put down the plastic.

Be careful not to use mulch under shrubs, especially since plastic destroys the shrubs' long-term health. Because water and air cannot penetrate the plastic, roots grow very close to the soil surface — sometimes right beneath the plastic — seeking moisture and oxygen. The shallow roots suffer from lack of oxygen and moisture, and extreme temperature changes. Over time, the plants decline and die.

Geotextiles , also called landscape fabrics, let air and water through to the soil beneath while keeping weeds from coming up. But still, there are some drawbacks: When exposed to light, geotextiles degrade over time.

To make them last longer, cover them with a second mulch they're ugly, so you'd want to, anyway. Similar to plastic mulch, keep geotextiles away from shrubs.

Shrub roots and weeds grow up into the landscape fabric, which means you'll have to rip the landscape fabric upon their removal. There are two cardinal rules for using mulch to combat weeds. First, lay the mulch down on soil that is already weeded, and second, lay down a thick-enough layer to discourage new weeds from coming up through it. A four-inch layer of mulch will discourage weeds, although a two-inch layer is usually enough in shady spots.

If you know that a garden bed is filled with weed seeds or perennial roots, try a double-mulching technique to prevent a weed explosion. To do so, set plants in place, water them well, spread newspaper, and top it with mulch. Mulches that also retains moisture like wood chips can slow soil warming. In spring, pull mulch away from perennials and bulbs for faster growth. A wet mulch piled against the stems of flowers and vegetables can cause them to rot; keep mulch about one inch away from crowns and stems.

Mulch piled up against woody stems of shrubs and trees can also cause rot and encourages rodents such as voles and mice to nest there. Here are nine types of mulch that should be on your radar and when to use each. Both hardwood and softwood bark, chips, and nuggets—byproducts of the lumber and paper industries—are typically aged and dried, and sometimes even dyed red or black, then sold in bags. Hardwood works best around trees, shrubs, and in perennial beds , while softwood typically made from pine should be reserved for use around large trees and shrubs.

Pine tends to be slightly more acidic and therefore takes longer to decompose than other organic mulches. Check with your local municipality before you head to the home improvement center; many offer freshly ground tree mulch to homeowners at no charge. This fresh material is neither dried or aged, so use it only for walkways, as it leaches large amounts of nitrogen from the soil as it decomposes. Clean wheat, barley, or oat straw is ideal for lightly mulching newly seeded lawns.

The straw mulch keeps the grass seed from washing away, deters feeding birds and rodents, and, until it decomposes, conserves the moisture the seeds need for good germination. You should avoid the latter, which contains seeds that could sprout up as weeds in your garden. No need to shop around—you can make your own organic mulch using nothing more than grass clippings or shredded leaves. Leaf mulch is ideal for use in garden beds and around trees and shrubs, while grass clippings may be spread in thin layers across vegetable and perennial beds and then turned into the soil at the end of the growing season.

Be careful not to apply in thick layers, or else the material will mat. Shredded black-and-white newspaper or undyed natural cardboard can be used as an effective weed suppressant.

Adding it to your planting bed will block light from reaching the soil, which keeps many kinds of weed seeds from sprouting. By adding a thick layer of mulch, you'll ensure that the weeds never see the light of day! Test Garden Tip: While an even layer of mulch is ideal, don't overdo it. The best depth for a mulch layer is inches. Any deeper, and it can be difficult for oxygen to reach the soil, which can cause your plants to suffer.

Over time, garden mulch types made from organic materials those produced by or part of a living thing break down and increase your soil's structure and fertility. This is especially true with compost used as a mulch because the nutrients in it will promote soil organisms and fuel plant growth. Plus, a layer of mulch can help fight climate change because covered soil holds onto carbon instead of releasing this greenhouse gas into the air. Every spring, check on the mulched areas of your garden and add more if the layer is starting to get thin.

If you're mulching a large area of your yard for the first time and not just touching up a few garden beds, you might want to schedule a delivery from a bulk supplier. It'll be less expensive than buying a ton of bagged mulch from your local garden center, and you won't have to haul all of those bags in your vehicle to your yard either.

When late fall rolls around, check on your mulch again, and reapply if needed. In the winter, a good layer of mulch acts like insulation, helping to regulate the soil temperature. This reduces stress on plant roots and can prevent frost heaving where smaller plants are pushed out of the ground as it freezes and thaws repeatedly. Make sure the ground has frozen a few times before adding mulch as a protective layer for the winter. Depending on your landscape design and what you're planting, each of these choices can make a good mulch.

It comes from a variety of sources, including cedar trees. Shredded bark is one of the best mulch types to use on slopes and it breaks down relatively slowly.

Some shredded bark mulches are byproducts from other industries and are considered environmentally friendly. Check the mulch packaging for more information.