THE DIRT CHEAP GARDENER
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Mulch
MULCH
After soil composition, mulching is one of the most important contributions you can make to your garden.
Mulches are applied to the soil surface to promote plant growth and minimize watering and gardening tasks.
There are many benefits and functions of mulch:
Conserves soil moisture
Moderates soil temperature--retains heat from the day and radiates it to the soil at night. In winter mulch acts as a blanket, keeping the soil warmer and in summer, it keeps soil cooler by blocking direct sunlight exposure to the soil surface.
Controls Weed Growth
Promotes Plant Growth by reflecting sunlight off the soil surface back to the leaves of the plants.
Prevents Soil Erosion
Provide Nutrients--Organic mulches add nutrients to the soil as they breakdown. Biodegradable mulches are incorporated into the soil as they decay, providing air spaces and surfaces for organisms and root growth.
Pest Control--Increases the number of beneficial insects and deters herbivorous insects.
Common Types of Organic Mulches
Grass Clippings--Grass clippings are best if dried thoroughly and mixed with leaves and other rough brown type of mulch. If used alone the grass can rot which can damage plants. Grass clippings are high in nitrogen.
Straw and Hay--If you can be sure to use seasoned straw or hay before it is allowed to go to seed it is an excellent mulch for vegetable gardens. It is biodegradable and high in nitrogen.
Leaves--Shredded and mixed with grass clippings or other material is an excellent mulch. Provides nitrogen and trace minerals. Also attracts earthworms as they love to eat leaves.
Wood Chips--Mostly used under trees and shrubs, decaying wood cunsumes nitrate and must be offset with the application of a high nitrate fertilizer.
Shredded Bark or Bark Chips--Very attractive and does not consume soil nitrates as do the wood chips.
Pine Needles--Excellent mulch. Easy and inexpensive.
Note: Mulch should smell fresh. If mulch is not rotated, as decays it can form pockets of anerobic decomposition and produce toxic materials that can damage of kill plants. If mulch develops a sour or ammonia-type smell it is best to remove it and replace it with fresh mulch.
