A Beginner’s Guide to Mulching

Mulch is an excellent addition to any plant bed, flower bed or vegetable garden. It suppresses weeds, retains moisture in the soil and covers up plain, unsightly soil.

Use it the winter to protect your plants from the freezing temperatures. Use it in the spring to nurture your young plants and flowers. And use it in the summer to retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds.

Mulch comes in a wide variety of organic and inorganic materials, and each has its benefits and drawbacks:

• Wood chips and bark – Wood chips and bark are the most common types of mulch used in today’s gardens and plant beds. Cedar, cypress and pine are the most popular of the wood mulches, as they look good, smell good and do a great job at suppressing weeds and retaining moisture.

Larger pieces of wood mulch last longer than their shredded counterparts, although they can float away during a heavy rain. Shredded wood mulch is ideal for slopes or paths, as it is less likely to wash away.

You can easily purchase wood chips and bark at your local home improvement or landscape supply center. An economical alternative to purchasing wood chips and bark is to ask your local tree service company if they give away tree shreddings.

The only downside to wood chips and bark is that they may attract insects.

• Straw – Straw is a popular, inexpensive mulch for vegetable gardens and newly seeded areas. It improves the soils as it decays, making it the ideal mulch for vegetable gardens. It is also good for protecting perennials over the winter, although you’ll need to be careful not to choose straw with too many seeds, or you’ll have a garden full of weeds in the spring. Straw also decomposes quickly, so you’ll need to frequently replace it.
• Pine needles – A thick layer of pine needles provides an attractive mulch for your landscaped beds, especially around acid-loving trees and shrubs. It also allows for easy water penetration and moisture retention.
• Cocoa bean hulls – Cocoa bean hulls provide a beautiful, great-smelling mulch, although it is extremely toxic to cats and dogs, so it is best avoided if you have pets.
• Compost – Shredded leaves and grass clippings are good for gardens, as they add nutrients to the soil as they break down. They are also readily available and economical. Do not use compost, however, if your grass is treated with herbicides. Compost should be used in moderation and combined with your existing, natural mulch.
• Rocks – Rocks can serve as an attractive mulch for your landscaped beds, as it suppresses weeds. It will not, however, retain moisture, which makes it best for desert gardens.
• Newspaper – Newspaper serves as an efficient weed suppressor. Simply surround your flower beds with a layer of newspaper and cover it with a thick layer of mulch. Do not, however, use it in your vegetable garden, as the ink can leach into the soil.