Some gardeners like smaller, more shredded straw pieces while others prefer larger straws. Straw is classically used in more utilitarian gardens, such as vegetable gardens , and around strawberry plants. Straw does a great job of keeping mud off of your edibles.
Test Garden Tip: Make sure the straw is free of weed seeds, otherwise it can cause more weeds than it prevents. Oat straw is often particularly weedy. This mulch material breaks down quickly but adds to your soil structure the fastest. Plus, it's inexpensive; you can create your own rich compost for free, even from grass clippings and leaves. Many municipalities give away compost as well. They're not the best type of mulch for slopes or other areas where they may be washed away by heavy rain; the chips tend to float and take off like boats.
The nuggets are available in a variety of sizes; the bigger the nugget, the longer it lasts. Rocks tend to be more expensive than organic mulches. However, it also means they don't improve your soil over time. Take caution when using stone as a mulch because stones tend to get really hot in the sun. Stones are often used in cactus and rock gardens. If you decide to use rocks and stones as a mulch in an area where plants won't be growing, such as under a deck, cover the soil first with sheer landscaping fabric.
This will help prevent weeds from growing up through the rock. By Andrea Beck Updated April 22, Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team.
If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Save Pin FB More. Which mulch you choose depends on the function and aesthetic you are looking for. There are more and more choices each year, so review your options before you start spreading and choose a mulch that will please you and aid your garden for many years.
Mulch Basics. Using Grass Clippings as Mulch. University of Minnesota Yard and Garden Extension. The disadvantages of landscape fabric. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mulch for Home Grounds. Colorado State University Extension. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads.
Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Chip products, finely-ground options, hardwood, pine and more — how do you know which is best? For example, how long would you prefer the mulch to last? As I mentioned, I use longer-lasting hardwood chip mulch in my GardenFarm paths but softer, smaller wood products anywhere I want something which will break down quickly to improve the soil.
I use arborist wood chips regularly in my landscape beds. I love that you can find this material for free from local tree services. Try contacting your area services to let them know that you are interested in taking their load of chipped wood. Some gardeners worry about using arborist wood chips and ask if chips which come from a diseased tree will spread disease in their landscape. Most studies indicate that diseased mulch does not spread disease to surrounding plants, trees and shrubs; so the risk would seem to be low.
Those are both myths. As a result, I scored these free arborist wood chips to replenish the mulch in my landscape beds. Most of the wood chips break down within a year or two and begin to look like a blended soil mix. At that point, the material can be incorporated into your soil, if need be, without any negative impact. Be cautious when it comes to any material from black walnut trees. There is an allelopathic chemical, known as juglone, in black walnut trees which can inhibit the growth of sensitive plants in your landscape.
This chemical is most present in the tree roots, but it is found in all parts of black walnut — including the leaves. Juglone will begin to dissipate after about six months, but the longer you can allow it to age, the better. Hay or Straw — These materials are readily available from home improvement stores, garden centers and farm suppliers. Both options are easy to spread, and they look nice in the landscape. There are key differences between these two materials. Straw comes from grain crops and is just the stalk of the crop.
Hay comes from grass crops, like fescue and bluegrass, so it will likely contain seed heads. The bigger concern, however, is the possibility that the grass crop was treated with a persistent herbicide used to kill broadleaf weeds but just as effectively lethal on many plants , which will take years to dissipate and can ruin your soil in the process.
Straw is a good mulch option. My garden was hard hit by horse manure from hay which contained persistent herbicide. You can read all about this killer compost experience and, hopefully, learn from my mistake. Pine Straw — I really love the look of pine straw pine needles. This is a common mulch here in the southeastern U. Grass Clippings — I love free materials, and grass clippings are no exception.
If you can spread them on a driveway or other hard surface and place them between two layers of clear plastic, it will only take a few hours on a hot sunny day before they dry to a lightweight, crispy material which is easy to work with. I recommend against mulching with fresh, wet clippings; because they can generate heat and mold which can create problems. On the right are whole leaves. These would work fine as a mulch. I prefer the shredded leaves on the left for ease of use and a more consistent look.
Plant Hulls — Materials like rice, peanut or buckwheat hulls are becoming more commonly available. However, since these materials come from a food crop, there is a greater likelihood the origin was treated with a pesticide or herbicide, which can remain in the hulls and transfer to your garden. Cocoa Mulch — Cocoa shell and cocoa bean mulches may also have been treated with a chemical which will transfer to your garden.
These materials also present another risk — they contain Theobromine and caffeine which are toxic to dogs. Dogs are drawn to the sweet smell of cocoa materials, but they can become sick or die from eating them. Inks these days are typically soy-based and, so, not a health concern. I prefer to add it to my compost heap, but if you would like to use it as a mulch, go for it. Living Mulch — What is a living mulch?.
It could be a ground-hugging plant, like creeping thyme or phlox, or a cover crop, like vetch or clover. The shallow roots suffer from lack of oxygen and moisture, and extreme temperature changes. Over time, the plants decline and die. Geotextiles , also called landscape fabrics, let air and water through to the soil beneath while keeping weeds from coming up.
But still, there are some drawbacks: When exposed to light, geotextiles degrade over time. To make them last longer, cover them with a second mulch they're ugly, so you'd want to, anyway. Similar to plastic mulch, keep geotextiles away from shrubs. Shrub roots and weeds grow up into the landscape fabric, which means you'll have to rip the landscape fabric upon their removal.
There are two cardinal rules for using mulch to combat weeds. First, lay the mulch down on soil that is already weeded, and second, lay down a thick-enough layer to discourage new weeds from coming up through it.
A four-inch layer of mulch will discourage weeds, although a two-inch layer is usually enough in shady spots. If you know that a garden bed is filled with weed seeds or perennial roots, try a double-mulching technique to prevent a weed explosion. To do so, set plants in place, water them well, spread newspaper, and top it with mulch.
Mulches that also retains moisture like wood chips can slow soil warming. In spring, pull mulch away from perennials and bulbs for faster growth. A wet mulch piled against the stems of flowers and vegetables can cause them to rot; keep mulch about one inch away from crowns and stems. Mulch piled up against woody stems of shrubs and trees can also cause rot and encourages rodents such as voles and mice to nest there.
Keep deep mulch pulled back about six to 12 inches from trunks. Product Reviews. Home Ideas. United States.
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