| Gardening Basics: Mulch |
| The Amazing World of Mulch |
From "Dirt On Gardening"
episode DDOG-106 |
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(Continued from page )
Selecting the Right Mulch for Your Yard - Long-lasting mulches that decompose slowly include:
- bark chips or chunks,
- wood chips,
- shredded cedar,
- cocoa shells and
- pine needles.
These varieties of mulch add little to the fertility of the soil and are best suited for ornamental beds. - Rapidly decomposing mulches include:
- shredded leaves,
- leaf mold,
- grass clippings and
- straw.
These types of mulch are well suited for vegetable plots and can be turned into the soil at the end of the season. They add to the percentage of organic matter in the soil thereby improving its structure and fertility.- Decorative barks and rock are typically coarse and heavy, and used mainly for aesthetic value or in a problem zones such as windy, hillsides or wet areas.
- Colored mulches are gaining popularity among home gardeners. It can be made from colored bark or colored plastic. It can be used decoratively or is a way to mark the locations where you planted your spring bulbs. Some colored mulch is even said to "trick" certain types of plants into producing more and possibly even better tasting fruits and vegetables when used on crops.
Using Organic Mulches Organic mulches not be confused with fertilizer. Most of them release nutrients as they decompose, but the fertilizer value is very small with respect to the physical effects. Where mulches are needed, use them for the mulch value and add fertilizer as a supplement. Important: Mulches need to be monitored to prevent them from becoming harbors for pests. Some wood mulches, for example, may contain termite eggs or larvae, and could become home to a termite colony. An occasional light stirring should help keep things from becoming a problem. Bark offers outstanding effectiveness and appearance. It's typically available in fine, medium and large sizes, although the medium and coarse grades are considered best for mulch. Wood chips decompose slowly and are a long lasting mulch. Apply it two to four inches deep Thick layers of wood chips serve as effective insulation in winter but may slow the soil from warming up in spring. Important: Avoid blending bark or wood chips directly into the soil as its high carbon content will cause nitrogen deficiency in plants.
Using Inorganic MulchesLandscape carpet or netting are included in this category. Most are used with something applied over them such as organic mulch or rock. When using landscape fabric, drape the fabric over the area you want to mulch, then cut fabric to form an X (figure C). Stretch the fabric over the plant and tuck the excess towards the base of the plant (figure D).
To prevent the fabric from sliding and shifting, use landscape pins to keep the plastic in place (figure E). To hide the plastic, add a decorative rock or bark (figure F).
Many gardeners use a plastic film under their mulch. There are some pros and cons to this. The plastic helps to warm the soil in spring but may also cause it to become too hot in summer injuring plant roots. The plastic should be well perforated to allow aeration and moisture penetration. When using plastic film, the soil should be damp before applying the plastic.The most common colors for these plastics are clear, black or white. The clear plastic tends to warm the soil but permits weed growth. Black plastic warms the soil and deters weed growth. White plastic cools soils and deters weeds. Other colors are available as well, and have various reported effects on plants. Silver reflective mulches allow for cool soil while reflecting light--which tends to repel aphids. (Aluminum foil has a similar effect.) Used by themselves, plastic mulches tend to be unattractive. Often they are used in combination with another cover such as crushed stone. Important: Whether you choose organic or inorganic materials, remember to keep the mulch away from the bases of tender young plants, trees and shrubs. Go to next article in DIY's "Gardening Basics" series.
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