Mulching my property - WHY is it important?

Mulch provides several benefits to your landscape beds. Luckily, adding mulch is one of the easiest landscaping tasks to undertake. The question is not whether it should be used; the question is, which type of mulch should be chosen, and how should it be applied?

Benefits of Mulch

• Mulch is a great weed suppressant.

A nice, thick layer of mulch inhibits weeds in two important ways. First, by thoroughly covering the soil and depriving weed seeds of the light they need to germinate. Mulch prevents them from gaining a foothold in your garden. Second, bare dirt is the perfect place for weed seeds to land and germinate. By covering all of your bare soil with mulch, most weeds will never be able to come into contact with the soil.

• Mulch helps retain soil moisture.

Maintaining a consistent level of moisture in your soil is an integral part of growing healthy plants. A plant that has a constant level of adequate moisture is less likely to become stressed, which means that it will be better able to resist insects and diseases. In tandem with keeping the soil moist, mulch also keeps the soil cooler in hot weather. This will prolong the amount of time it takes for many plants to bolt or go dormant. Some plants bloom best in cooler conditions, and mulch will aid in keeping these plants blooming longer.

• Mulch feeds the soil.

Organic mulches (as opposed to inorganic ones like glass, plastic, or rubber) will break down over time, adding nutrients and organic matter to your soil. The worms and microbes in the soil will break down organic mulches over time, which will result in healthier soil life.

• Popular Types of Mulch

The following mulches are all organic in nature, so they will nourish your soil while suppressing weeds and maintaining soil moisture. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses as noted.

1. Shredded or chipped wood doesn't break down as readily. This means that it will not provide as much nutrition to soil, but also does not need to be replenished as often. Some popular woods for mulch are cedar, pine, and cypress. Bark mulches work well in many settings, but are especially useful around trees and shrubs and on pathways.
2. Chopped leaves are plentiful and free given one has enough trees. Leaves can be shredded by running over them with a lawnmower or running them through a chipper. They work well on perennial beds, in vegetable gardens, and in mixed borders. They break down fairly quickly and provide plenty of nutrition to the soil.
3. Straw is a popular choice for vegetable gardens as well as informal paths. It has a very utilitarian look, so it probably is not the best choice for perennial borders or foundation plantings. Straw breaks down fairly quickly as well.
4. Grass clippings are plentiful, free mulch. The only caveat is to make sure that the grass hasn't been treated with chemicals. You don't want to introduce pesticides and herbicides into your organic gardens. They tend to break down very quickly, and, because they do so, can actually heat up the soil rather than cooling it down. Grass clippings work well in vegetable gardens, informal mixed borders, or under more attractive mulch, such as shredded bark or cocoa hulls.
5. Cocoa hulls are the most expensive of the mulches, but the look it provides for gardens is well worth it. Cocoa hulls have a dark brown, earth-like appearance, so are not very noticeable. One of the main concerns with cocoa hull mulch is its tendency to develop mold in humid weather. This mold doesn't harm your plants or soil, but it is unsightly.
6. Pine needles are another informal, and possibly free, mulch material. They look great in gardens of all kinds. However, they can be a acidic, so it is best to avoid using them near plants that do not tolerate acid soils very well.
7. Compost (including leaf mold) is like cocoa hulls, it just fades into the plantings, virtually unnoticeable. Besides looking great, it provides plenty of nutrients to your soil and increases microbial activity. It will need to be replenished fairly often (at least once a year, though typically we top dress with compost in spring and fall). If you have your own compost pile, you'll have a steady supply ready to use.

How to Apply Mulch

The biggest mistake made when adding mulch is that not enough is applied. To smother weeds and retain soil moisture, a two to three inch layer of mulch is necessary. Less than two inches of mulch will let enough light through to allow weed seeds to germinate.

In addition to applying the right amount of mulch, make sure that it is not pushed up against your plants. Pull the mulch back from tree trunks, shrubs and the crowns of your annuals, perennials, and vegetables. It is best to give plants an inch or so of space.

A layer of mulch can benefit every single area of your garden. Your plants, and your soil, will appreciate it.