Mulch has tons of benefits—we’ll get to those—but the one homeowners probably appreciate the most is how it tidies up the garden. Spreading mulch is a lot like raking leaves—it’s can feel like an endless job when you’re in the middle of it, but the result is so gratifying. Who doesn’t love that clean, weedless, dark brown/black color as a backdrop for spring when it arrives? Or as a refresh in late summer or fall?
Mulch isn’t just decorative, though. It benefits your garden’s health…
Mulching the Garden can Help Control Weeds
- Mulch suppresses weeds—it does not get rid of them. Instead, it is one of the components of the weed war. So yes, you’ll still be pulling weeds in your beds, but a good pre-emergent and a two-inch layer of mulch can go a long way to reducing the weed population in your beds.
- Weeds compete in the garden, drawing vital nutrients and water away from garden plants. Eliminating weeds isn’t the goal(read here for why some weeds are beneficial), but minimizing the competition and keeping the messiness in check is.
- Mulching the garden helps regulate soil temperatures during extreme heat and cold, and retain water during hot and dry seasons. Mulch is hugely helpful in fighting weeds and keeping your plants hydrated.
- And, again… It’s decorative and can tidy up the place. Our landscape designers and garden coaches are frequently asked to help with curb appeal when folks sell their homes. Cleaning up beds and spreading mulch adds appeal quickly and is often all that is needed.
What is Mulch?
Mulch is any material used to cover the surface of a planting bed. It can be organic or inorganic, and both have advantages and disadvantages.
ORGANIC MULCH:
- Shredded Bark
- Pine Straw
- Wood Chips (often dyed in different colors)
- Peat Moss
- Groundcovers or Green Mulch
Advantages of Using Organic Mulch:
- Reduces soil moisture loss
- Its decomposition can add nutrients to the soil
- Its decomposition can alter soil pH
- Benefits overall plant health
- Moderates soil temperatures (hot or cold)
- No mowing hazards
- Discourages weed growth
Disadvantages of Organic Mulch:
- Potentially flammable in high heat conditions
- Requires replacement due to decomposition
- Dyed mulches can get on clothing, animals, and paved areas
Inorganic Mulch:
- Cobble Rock
- Decorative Gravel
- Pea Gravel
Advantages of Using Inorganic Mulch:
- Reduces soil moisture loss
- No decomposition
- Non-flammable
- Rarely needs replacement
- Discourages weed growth
Disadvantages of Inorganic Mulch:
- It does not affect soil pH, nutrients, or soil nutrition
- Potential mowing hazard (for people, windows, and cars)
- It may retain heat and harm plants in warmer areas
- It can get thrown into the yard
Note: B.B. Barns sells bagged mulch, primarily a Daddy Pete’s product.
River rock mulch provides a much different look than, say, pine straw.
Mulching the Garden: When and How Much?
When to mulch? A great time to mulch the garden is in late winter or early spring before the perennials show up; it makes covering the garden beds so much easier. Plus, there’s less danger of stepping on delicate perennial sprouts or covering them with mulch.
How much mulch? Two to three inches is the maximum amount to layer mulch, with two inches being optimal. More mulch isn’t the answer to your weeds and watering, and too much mulch can actually harm your plants.
How to spread mulch? Spread mulch using a pitchfork, then rake it with a stiff rake or spread it evenly with your hands. Avoid piles in one place and not enough in another. You want even distribution. Keep the mulch at least three inches away from the trunks of your plants; you should always see the root flair on your trees and shrubs. The picture below is an example of a properly mulched tree base.
Mulching your garden is something that should be on every homeowner’s to-do list because of ALL the benefits mulch offers. Let us know if you need any help or have any questions, and if not, happy mulching!
