What Mulch Type Should I Use For My Plants?

Do you need mulch so you can add more organic matter to the soil?

Do you need mulch to provide your soil with slow-release nutrients?

Do you need mulch to retain moisture in the soil for longer?

Do you need mulch as an insulator to regulate the soil temperature?

Do you need mulch to control weeds?

Do you need mulch to control pests?

Do you need mulch to increase biological activity in the soil?

Do you need mulch to improve soil conditions?

Do you need mulch to protect plants from mud splash during rain?

Do you need mulch to protect your plants from frost damage?

Do you need mulch to improve your garden's visual appearance?

You can use organic mulches like compost, grass clippings, and shredded leaves. Compost is best for adding organic matter to the soil because most of it has already mineralized and plants can absorb it immediately. Organic mulches like shredded tree bark, straw and hay need lots of time to decompose so they are not the best choice.

Compost and composted manure are the best slow-release source of nutrients. Grass clippings and shredded leaves can be used for this purpose, but the number of nutrients in them is less than in compost or composted manure.

Any mulch type will help keep the soil moist to some extent. Of the organic mulches, newspapers can be used as they will cover most of the ground and slow down the evaporation. Wood chips and tree bark can also be used effectively for this purpose. You will get the best water retention by using inorganic mulch like plastic sheets and landscape fabric. Note that you will need to use a drip irrigation system if you use these mulches.

All organic mulches can be used for this purpose. The best organic choices are compost, straw, hey and a thick layer of newspaper mulch. Tree bark and wood chips provide less protection. Of the inorganic mulches, black plastic and landscape fabric are the best for keeping the soil warm during colder seasons. Stone and gravel aren't as effective.

Mulching helps in weed control by blocking weeds access to sunlight. All mulch types are effective for this purpose. Compost or manure may be less effective if they are spread thin because in that case, they would only act as a nutrient source for the weeds.

Some pests lay their eggs in the soil near the plants or overwinter on plant debris. You can prevent some of them from attacking your plants by burying them in the mulch. Organic mulches can attract new pests like termites in the case of wood chips therefore, the best choice for pest control is inorganic mulches like plastic strips or landscape fabric.

Use organic mulches like compost or composted manure. These mulch types will provide a good amount of food for microorganisms and earthworms.

All organic mulches can be used for improving soil conditions, they will help bind sandy soils and open up clay soils. The exceptions are wood chips and tree bark as they don't mix well with the soil.

Organic mulches like straw and hay are the best protection from mud splash during rainy seasons because they decompose slowly and can provide year-long protection.

Compost, manure, straw and hay, shredded leaves and tree bark are all good choices of organic mulches for frost protection. Black plastic strip or landscape fabric will also keep the soil warm during winter.

Out of the organic mulches tree bark or wood chips are the most visually pleasing and are often used for that purpose. Gravel and stone are often used as decorative mulch in ornamental gardens.

If you wish to use mulch because you want to recycle waste materials, any organic type is good. Instead of throwing them away, use your grass clippings, wood chips, sawdust, shredded tree bark, straw and hay, old newspapers, etc.