Anyone who has gardened for any length of time knows that mulch is a time-saving step you don't want to
ignore. This is true for every garden site, whether it is a small flower bed or a large vegetable garden.
A garden that has been mulched is healthier, more weed resistant and more drought tolerant. All this means
you spend less time watering, weeding and fighting pest problems. The mulch you choose should be easy to apply
or remove, stay in place, supply some nutrition to the soil and be free of weeds.
There are basically two types of mulch: organic and inorganic. Organic mulch, just as the name implies,
was formerly living material such as wood chips, shredded bark, chopped leaves, grass clippings, straw,
pine needles and even paper. Inorganic mulches include things such as gravel, stones, black plastic and
geotextiles. Geotextiles are landscape fabrics that block weeds but allow water and air to the soil.
Both types of mulch have their place. Many people like to use plastic in their vegetable gardens.
Experiments have been done with different colored plastics showing an increase in fruit production. Just
know, if
you are using plastic, it will not allow air and water in, so lay a drip irrigation system under the plastic
so that your plants can get water on a regular basis.
One of the main advantages to using organic mulch is it will improve your soil. Organic mulch is sort of
like compost only you lay it on top of the soil rather than working it into the soil.
Organic Mulches:
The Positive
- Will prevent most weed seeds from germinating; those that do pop through are easy to pull
- Keeps the soil cool and moist in summer, reducing the need for water
- Decomposes slowly and releases nutrients into the soil
- Encourges earthworm activity, improving soil tilth and nutrient content
- Keeps dirt from splashing onto plants
- In winter, minimizes alternate freezing and thawing of soil
The Negative
- Organic mulches retain moisture and can slow soil warming in spring; pull mulch away from perennials
and bulbs in the spring for faster growth
- As low-nitrogen organic mulches decay, nitrogen is temporarily depleted from the soil, so prior to laying
down your mulch, fertilize with a high-nitrogen product
- Wet mulch piled against stems of flowers and vegetables can cause them to rot; keep pulled away 1" from crowns and stems
- Mulch piled near woody stems can also cause stems to rot and encourages voles and mice to nest in the mulch;
keep deep mulch pulled back about 6" to 12" from trunks
- Organic mulches can be acidic depending on their content; mix some lime with the mulch beneath plants that
prefer neutral or slightly alkaline soil
