Different Types of Organic Mulches
Organic mulches are made from natural materials such as grass and leaves, frequently from your own backyard. They degrade over time in a manner akin to nature. The benefit is that they are genuinely enhancing the soil with organic matter. The drawback is that they need to be regularly replenished if you use organic materials in mulching.
Here are types of organic mulches:
Compost
This is easily accessible and helps to improve soil quickly. Often, towns provide it from their leaf composting facility if you don’t have your own. The drawbacks include the need for replenishment and the possibility of weed seeds.
Shredded or Chipped Bark
Softwood bark mulch is beautiful, doesn’t compact easily, and decomposes gradually. Although hardwood bark is great, it decomposes quickly and must be properly composted to prevent sour mulch and troublesome fungi.
Shredded Leaves and Leaf Mold
These are easily accessible, and when chopped, they eventually decompose and provide beneficial materials for the soil. The drawback is that wet leaves may mat, which lowers soil moisture and oxygen levels. Steer clear of wet leaf mats.
Straw and Salt Marsh Hay
These are inexpensive and useful as a covering. However, they decompose more quickly, may harbor rodents, and are easily blown away by the wind.
Grass Clippings
To prevent them from turning into a warm, slimy, stinky mess, these should be dried first or spread thinly. Additionally, you cannot use grass clippings from a chemically treated lawn in a food garden.
Pine Needles
These are more attractive and more stable than most mulches. Don’t worry about them changing the pH of the soil because they are slow to decompose and aren’t as acidic as you might anticipate.
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