Few substances are as useful to your garden as mulch. It is also often misunderstood as mulch. And while it is widely accepted as an essential part of every landscape, nobody is aware of the reasons. Our team of experts is eager to offer the answers to your questions like "What does mulch do?" as well as "What is mulch used for?" to ensure you get the most benefit and have the garden that you've envisioned.

What is Mulch?

Mulch can be described as any inorganic or organic material that is laid on top of the soil of the garden or is used to create landscape designs. There are many types and varieties of mulch available, and each one is not able to provide all the benefits; therefore, it's crucial to choose the right mulch for your specific needs, according to the site, type of plant soil type, location, and so on. There are a variety of options to choose from:

Organic

Organic mulches are created from natural materials; they break down over time, bringing important nutrients to the soil.

Bark

Wood chips are great to be used in perennial gardens or around shrubs or trees and are a beautiful feature in any garden. Pine is slightly more acidic than other species, which makes it an ideal choice for plants that require a more acidic climate.

Compost

The nutrition-rich compost can be used as a standalone mulch or as a healthy supplement to plants, offering the plants a constant source of carbon and nitrogen. Since it breaks down quickly, you can anticipate adding further mulches of it every month, especially during the growing season.

Lawn Clippings

Although they can be effective in removing weeds, they must be utilized sparingly since they may create an unpleasant smell and block the flow of water or mat if the layer is thick.

Shredded Leaves

Leaf mulch attracts earthworms and is an excellent option to get rid of leaves that are accumulating on your property. Since it's a less appealing option, you might want to use this mulch only in more informal areas of your garden.

Straw

The straw layer may aid in retaining the moisture, deter weed growth as well as attract insects and repel rodents and birds. It is decomposed very slow and will last throughout the season of growth.

Inorganic

Inorganic mulch can be a long-lasting alternative that may hinder an increase in weeds; however, it does not provide any nutritional benefit to soil or plants.

Landscape Fabric

In areas of no activity or in areas that don't require fertilization, the landscape fabric can be a useful protection against weeds, but it may also block the flow of water and essential nutrients.

Stones

Ideal for areas that need help with drainage or heat retention.

Benefits of Mulch

In addition to adding to the aesthetics of your landscape, mulch also has a variety of benefits that include:

• Moisture retention
• Weed control
• Preventing soil erosion
• Add or maintain the nutritional value of soil
• Pest control
• Attracts earthworms
• Cedar, cypress, and pine wood can assist in repelling ticks, fleas, and gnats

Maintenance and Tips

• Spread the mulch out in layers of between one and three inches to promote oxygen flow and prevent the growth of rot.
• Allow space between the roots of the tree or plant to avoid rot or disease.
• The mulch made of wood or bark should be soaked in water immediately after installation.
• It is recommended to add a source of nitrogen to the soil prior to applying wood mulch, since storage can be depleted as the wood mulch degrades.