Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

Spread it on - Mulch

Organic mulching material is one of the best long term investments you can make in your yard. Mulch is a covering spread over the ground that conserves moisture in soil by checking the force of rain. It prevents soil from eroding and runoff from a heavy rain. Instead of washing the soil away rain seeps into the mulch and then below it into the soil. The sun and wind work together to dry out garden beds and vegetable patches but when mulch is laid down, moisture in the soil is conserved and evaporation is reduced. So the damaging drying effects of sun and wind are checked.

While doing its task of keeping moisture in the soil and suppressing the growth of weeds mulch creates a rich unified background for plants, shrubs and trees. When the mulch decomposes it becomes a valuable addition to the soil structure. Mulch never stops working for you or paying off.

In winter months the soil in a garden heaves between the combined effects of freezing, thawing and then refreezing which also can damage plants and shrubs. A layer of mulch over soil acts as an insulator by keeping it cool in the summer months and helps eliminate danger to plants from the freeze-thaw cycle.

All this happens slowly over a period of time and much of the benefits of mulch are no readily visible. What you will notice is how mulch cuts down on the growth of weeds by choking them out. Those weeds that sprout up through the mulch seem easier to deal with maybe because they're clearly visible. To pull them spread the mulch away from the weed so you have clear access to it. As you pull out the weed make sure to get all of its roots so none are left in the ground or that its seeds don't drop into the mulching material. When clear, respread the mulch over the area so that it is smooth.

Organic mulches improve the structure of the soil as it eventually breaks down and begins to decompose. The decomposing mulch releases valuable plant nutrients into your soil. As mulching material deteriorates it turn into a dark color and becomes a rich humus that enriches the soil.

Mulching Materials

In choosing a mulch consider first what is available in your region and what it costs. The best place to look at different types of mulches is at a garden center that has open bins displaying different examples. In general, a mulch with course particles remains loose and lasts longer so it's a better choice. Mulches with fine particles can become compacted and become matted, they also decompose faster so they do not last as long.

If you're fortunate to have pine trees nearby or on your property its needles are an excellent mulch. Rake them up in a pile and then spread a 3 inch layer throughout your plantings. They're especially attractive surrounding the base of trees and bushes. Pine needles are acidic so they make an ideal mulch around acid-living shrubs like azaleas and rhododendrons.

Most of us have grass clippings which can be recycled as mulch when they're dry and shredded. A two-three inch layer of clippings works nicely, anything thicker can clump and possibly be too much of a covering. Vegetables will benefit from dried grass clippings which is rich in nitrogen. Cut the lawn and let the clippings stay and dry out on the lawn for a day or two. Then shred the clippings by running a lawn mower with a bag over them to cut them up and collect them. Do not use grass clippings that were treated with broad-leaf weed killers. You can mulch your lawn as you mow it using mulching lawn mower or retrofitting your mower with a mulching blade.

Leaves are an inexhaustible source of organic mulch if the leaves are ground up. A lawn mower with a bag does this job just like the grass clippings. Spread a 3 inch covering of this fine mulch over the ground for protection.

At your local nursery or garden center you can buy wood bark chips and nuggets in 3 cubic foot bags which cover roughly 10-12 square feet spread 2-3 inch thick. This can get expensive for a larger area. A better bet is to buy bark chips in bulk form delivered to your yard. You can save the delivery charge if you have a vehicle suitable for hauling. Bulk bark chips are sold by the cubic yard with a minimum order. For delivery on site the price will vary depending on the quantity you're buying and how far you are from the nursery.

In some communities the local tree nursery, park district or utility company offers bark chips at a sizable discount. Always check that you're not getting chips from a diseased tree. Some of the most popular other natural materials include straw and hay or compost.

Generally spread mulching material about 3 inches deep around plants but don't pack the mulch against the plant stems or tree trunk.

Inorganic Mulches

What about inorganic mulches like stones, black plastic and landscape fabric? Stones and marble chips do the same job as organic mulches with one exception. Since they don't decompose they don't have to be replaced. They lend a somewhat more formal look to a landscape and go a long way to warding off weeds. They're often used with plastic sheeting laid beneath them to stifle weed growth.

The pros and cons of black plastic sheeting are always an issue with supporters saying the plastic blocks out weed growth and helps to control the temperature of the soil. Many who dislike sheeting say it looks artificial in an otherwise natural setting and tears easily and disintegrates. A compromise is met if it is laid down as a first offensive and then concealed with a mulch. It is sold in rolls of varying widths and lengths with or without perforated holes so water can reach plant roots and slitted cuts or openings for plants.

Landscaping fabrics are an appealing alternative to plastic sheeting that offers a barrier while allowing water to pass through into the soil. They permit the soil to breath and absorb oxygen unlike plastic sheeting. They're sold in rolls from 3 feet and wider in lengths from 25 to 250 feet long. Choose landscape fabric with an ultraviolet 'UV' rating which should make it last longer.

You'll find special use landscape fabrics for vegetables and annuals designed for one season use which are less expensive and plant and seed blankets which warm the air and soil temperatures to improve germination. There's also 36-inch circles of landscape fabric designed for new tree plantings.

written by Gene and Katie Hamilton

Back to Home Improvement Preview Lawn And Garden Preview Home Decorating Shopping Center