What is mulch?
Mulch is any material used to cover soil's surface. The word mulch has been derived from the German word molsch which means “easy to decay”. Mulches have widely been used for vegetable production since ancient times.
What does mulch do?
Mulch can retain moisture in the soil, suppress or block weeds, keep the soil and plant roots cool, prevent frost heaving in winter, reduce soil erosion, and make a garden bed and landscape look more attractive. Some types can also add nutrients to the soil.
What are the types of mulch used?
There are two categories of mulch, organic and inorganic, and both have advantages and disadvantages.
Organic mulch: This natural substance is not made of anything synthetic and is the best option for adding nutrients to your garden and yard. It can suppress weeds, but it doesn't permanently block weeds.
Inorganic mulch: This type is a synthetic material. It is the best option for entirely blocking weeds and retaining water. It lasts longer than organic mulch but doesn't add nutrients to the soil.
Organic Mulch
Organic mulch is made of natural ingredients and will decompose. The decomposing material will help improve the soil's structure, drainage, nutrient-holding capacity, and organic content. The dryer and woodier the mulch, the slower it decomposes and the fewer nutrients it will give the soil.
Each type of organic mulch has its own use; here are popular sources:
Trees and bark, shredded or chipped
Pine needles
Grass clippings
Newspaper
Shredded leaves
Straw
Inorganic Mulch
Synthetic and inorganic mulches do an excellent job of holding moisture and blocking weeds. They don’t add any nutrients to the soil but don’t decompose quickly or require replacing as often as organic mulches.
Plastic and landscape fabric
Gravel and stone
Mulching Tips
The best time to apply mulch is in the spring when the weather is consistently warm. But don't apply it too early, or you may accidentally bury emerging perennials. For gardens, mulch after weeding and stripping off old mulch (don't add a layer of new mulch over a layer of old). Fall is also an excellent time to apply mulch to conserve moisture and protect soil and roots from poor weather.
ROCKandLAND Forestry Mulching Specialists
ROCKandLAND Skidsteer is your trusted choice for all land clearing and reclamation needs! Our forestry mulching attachments can offer a variety of options, such as a rough mulch in forested areas that won't be accessed regularly, to a finer mulch for walking paths and yard areas.
Give ROCKandLAND SKIDSTEER a call to discuss your spring and summer projects, we'd love to come and take a look!