Mulch Matters

There's a wide variety of mulches, from pine needles and cypress mulch to lava rock and river rock, and even recycled tires. Each offers distinct advantages and advantages for the landscape.

Organic or inorganic? Fine or chunky? Mulch conserves moisture and suppresses weeds, and it can also look decorative. There are a variety of types for every landscaping need, so how do you decide which one to use? Here's a look at several:

So-called organic mulches come from something that was once alive. Shredded bark, pine straw (needles), cypress mulch, wood chips and grass clippings all fall into this category. Organic mulches break down gradually and help improve the soil.

Inorganic mulches include gravel, rock, plastic and landscaping fabric. Gravel and rock can be highly decorative, but small pieces migrate down into the soil as you add new plantings or replace plants. Recycled manmade products such as tires make a good mulch for children's play areas, but it too easily migrates. In planting beds, use the real thing--shredded bark or other organic material. Plastics are used in commercial vegetable and fruit production, and they can easily be used in home gardens too.

Nearly all mulches suppress weeds and conserve moisture. But what else do they do? Here are their other pros and cons:

Grass Clippings

Advantages

free

decomposes quickly

neat appearance

Disadvantages

must be spread thin and kept away from plants when fresh

may contain weed seeds

grass may contain insecticides or herbicides

Wood chips

Advantages

inexpensive or free

longlasting

ideal for paths

Disadvantages

inconsistent appearance

must be composted six months ahead for best appearance

can attract insects, especially termites

Peat moss

Advantages

natural appearance

organically improves soil

Disadvantages

surface dries out and blocks water from passing through

Stones, gravel, pebbles

Advantages

surface dries quickly

Disadvantages

often expensive

gravel and small stones migrate

Black plastic

Advantages

warms soil in early spring

discourages weed growth

Disadvantages

prevents air, water and nutrients from reaching soil

may overheat soil and roots during hot summer months

Landscape fabrics

Advantages

water- and air-permeable

Disadvantages

requires another mulch covering because of its relatively unattractive appearance

removing weeds that take root above it means pulling up (exposing) the fabric

Also in this Episode

Way to Grow : Episode WTG-209
•	Good Enough to Eat
•	Miniature Knot Garden
•	Moss Accents
•	Mulch Matters