You need mulch for your garden or landscape, but which one fits your needs? While there are only two main types of mulch — organic and inorganic — there are plenty of options to choose from under either category.
To get the decision right the first time, keep the following points in mind.
Organic Mulch
Any kind of material that decomposes over time when used as mulch is referred to as organic mulch. This type of mulch adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down, thus improving soil fertility.
Organic mulches include formerly living material such as:
Different types of organic mulch decompose at varying rates and they have different water retention properties. When choosing organic mulch for your gardening needs, be sure to consider the water requirements of your plants, as well as how long you want the mulch to last before requiring replenishing.
It is also important to mull over aesthetics when choosing organic mulch. Certain organic mulches such as shredded leaves and grass clippings are not considered to be attractive and should be used in areas of the yard that visitors won't see.
Inorganic Mulch
Inorganic mulches can help with erosion and weed control. However, they can't enrich the soil because they don't decompose over time. Plus, they may not encourage plant growth because they can absorb heat and cut off oxygen supply to plants. This can be detrimental to plant health.
Since these mulches are permanent, you should make sure that your decision to use them is final. Once installed, they can't be removed easily. Inorganic mulches include both natural and man-made materials such as:
While most inorganic mulches generally don't support plant growth, they can be smart choices for your garden in some cases. For example, heat-loving plants such as onions, cucumbers, and watermelons can flourish under the cover of heat-absorbing inorganic mulches like black plastic film.
The kind of mulch you choose for your landscape can be a make or break factor. From the above discussion, it is clear that each type of mulch has specific uses and that no one-size-fits-all kind of solution exists for all mulching applications. Get in touch with a mulch delivery service near you if you need advice regarding which type of mulch to choose.
Share17 September 2020
I have always wanted a pretty flower garden of my own. My grandmother has a glorious garden filled with vibrant coloured flowers that smell so good. Unfortunately, I have black fingers, and it seemed that growing a flower garden of my own was always going to be beyond my reach. This year I am making it my resolution to create a garden just like my grandmothers. Follow my blog journey as I figure out the best way to get flowers to flourish and bloom despite my lack of gardening talent. I have the perfect spot picked out in the back garden, so it is going to be an exciting adventure for sure!