All About Mulch

Mulching in an organic garden is an essential practice that offers numerous benefits. 

Mulch is a layer of organic material placed on the soil surface to retain moisture, suppress weeds, regulate temperature, and improve soil health. 

Below we provide some of the top reasons to mulch and describe different materials that make a good mulch. At the end, we describe how to apply mulch in your garden.

Importance of mulching:

• Moisture retention: Mulching helps retain moisture in the soil, reducing the need for frequent watering.
• Weed control: Mulch acts as a natural weed barrier, suppressing weed growth by blocking sunlight and inhibiting weed germination.
• Temperature regulation: Mulch insulates the soil, protecting plants' roots from extreme temperature fluctuations and helping maintain a more stable environment. It keeps roots cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, potentially saving plant roots from death by frost.
• Soil protection: Mulch shields the soil surface from erosion caused by wind and heavy rainfall, preventing nutrient loss and maintaining soil structure.
• Nutrient cycling: Organic mulches gradually break down over time, releasing valuable nutrients into the soil and improving its fertility.
• Feed the soil food web: In addition to providing a constant source of organic matter for soil microbes to feed on, all of the above increase the microbial activity in your soil. Think beneficial bacteria, fungi, nematodes, worms, etc.
• Disease prevention: Mulch forms a protective layer between the soil and the plants, reducing the risk of soil-borne diseases splashing onto leaves and stems.
• Aesthetic appeal: Mulch can enhance the visual appeal of raised beds, giving them a neat and tidy appearance.

Different Options for Mulch:

• Straw: Straw is a common and readily available organic mulch.
  
  It helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and decomposes slowly. Beware of potential herbicides and seeds that can make a garden weedy.
• Hay: Similar to straw or dried grass clippings but much more potential for weed seeds. Potential for residual persistent herbicides.
  
• Wood Chips: Wood chips provide excellent weed suppression, moisture retention and organic matter. However, they decompose relatively slowly, making them a long-lasting option. You'll likely need to rake them out of the way when adding compost or amendments, then add them back after that work is complete.
• Leaves: Shredded leaves are a cost-effective mulch option that adds organic matter to the soil as they break down. They work well in fall and can be collected from your yard. Shredded leaves stay in place better and don't mat like non-shredded leaves. You can shred them with a mower.
• Pine needles: Contrary to popular belief, pine needles (also known as pine straw) do not significantly acidify the soil. While they do have an acidic pH when fresh, their impact on soil acidity is minimal and short-lived. They can be beneficial for acid-loving plants (like blueberries and azaleas) but their impact on overall soil pH is limited.
• Grass Clippings: Fresh or dried grass clippings can be used as mulch, but they should be applied in thin layers to avoid matting and potential odor issues. Be sure not to add grass clippings that contain seeds from weeds and grasses as that could create a lot of weed pressure. Dried grass clippings are essentially hay.
• Compost: Mature compost can be used as a mulch, providing a nutrient-rich layer that helps retain moisture and improve soil structure. Useful for direct seeding. If the bed won’t be planted densely enough to achieve a canopy of leaves, it is still best to cover it with a mulch to prevent drying out.
• Newspaper/Cardboard: Layering newspaper or cardboard sheets beneath the mulch acts as a weed barrier and eventually decomposes into the soil. Not an ideal mulch. Potential toxins. Water can't pass through easily if it is applied in sheets.

How to apply mulch:

• Apply mulch to a depth of around 1-4 inches. 
• Avoid direct contact with plant stems or trunks, which can promote rot. 
• Don't mulch heavily over direct seeded rows, seeds need to be able to easily reach sunlight after sprouting. 
• Regularly replenish the mulch as it decomposes to maintain its effectiveness.

If this article helps you, or if you have any questions, please let us know in the comments. Mulching is a game changer for your garden!