If you’ve read many articles on gardening – including those on this website – you’ve probably noticed that mulch is a common occurrence. Its ability to keep your plants hydrated and weeds at bay makes mulch a popular (albeit smelly) gardening accessory.
But there are different types of mulch that serve a multitude of purposes, and you can’t just throw down loads of any kind and expect them to work wonders. in the a recent article for Well + Good, Francesca Krempa spoke to a horticultural expert to get the dirt on mulch. Here’s what you should know.
Types of mulch
There are basically two broad categories of mulch: organic and inorganic. According to Angelo Randaci, a master gardener and horticultural expert at Earth’s Ally, organic mulch is made from plant and tree materials such as chopped leaves, wood chips, crushed bark, and pine needles. Inorganic mulch, on the other hand, consists of man-made materials such as rubber, plastic and other landscaping materials.
Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. “If you want to improve your soil, use one of the many organic mulches available,” Randaci said good + good. “If they collapse, they will enrich your soil.” In the meantime, inorganic mulch won’t add to the quality of your soil, but it’s good for keeping flower beds isolated and preventing weed growth.
How much mulch to use
Ideally, according to Randaci, you should distribute between 5 and 10 cm of mulch evenly over your flower beds. “If you’re using a finer mulch, go 1/2 inch or less and apply 2 inches deep,” he said said good + good. “If you’re using a coarser mulch like pine nuggets, apply it 3-4 inches deep.”
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Spread the mulch
You also need to be careful about where you place the mulch. Per Good + good:
Randaci says you should never mulch directly around the stems or trunks of plants, flowers, trees, or shrubs. Instead, move your mulch 10 cm away from the stems of annual and perennial plants and at least 15 cm away from trees and shrubs to avoid stressing the plant structure.
