Probably more than once you’ve gone to the landscape supply and become overwhelmed by the varieties of mulch. Make your next Sussex County, NJ, planting project less of a hassle by knowing ahead of time the essentials for choosing mulch.
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The Mulch Basics
Mulch is a variety of materials that are used to cover bare soil. It is typically either organic (wood chips, compost, or shredded bark) or inorganic (decorative stone or gravel).
Mulch is good for your plants and your wallet. It slows evaporation and improves water retention, which means less watering. It protects plant roots from temperature extremes and fluctuations. It simplifies weed management by slowing weed growth. Organic mulch improves soil quality as it decomposes, which helps minimize the need for fertilizers. Mulch also adds color and texture, and makes any landscape look more attractive.
Which Type Is Right for Your Project?
Choosing the right type of mulch begins with an assessment of individual areas of the landscape. For example, use larger stone mulch on slopes because it won’t wash away. Use aged organic mulch (compost and partially decomposed wood chips shredded bark) in areas with poor soil or all-day sun to help retain water and introduce nutrients into the soil. And choose fresh organic mulch in areas where you want to freshen up the appearance of the landscape and control weeds, but where you don’t need to improve soil quality.
Organic mulch can adds color to flower beds, but it can also turn gray by the end of the season. This may create a wonderful contrast in some cases, but those homeowners who love the look of fresh mulch will want to go with stone mulch or may want to plan on changing out the mulch annually. Another option is to buy colored mulch that is dyed using vegetable dyes. This will extend the color for several seasons. Dark mulch absorbs heat, so only use dark mulch around heat-tolerant plants or in shady areas.
Bark mulch (large pieces) is known for lasting longer (2-3 years) than shredded wood since larger pieces decompose more slowly. However, if you prefer the look of finer mulch, plan on replacing it once a season or every other year, depending on sun exposure and how fast it has decomposed.
Organic mulch spreads over damp soil may encourage too much moisture retention, which can cause roots to rot or invite pests like slugs.
While stone mulch won’t fade or encourage water retention, they need to be cleaned to look their best. A layer of leaves, dropped petals and grass clippings make stone mulches look dirty. Rock mulch also absorbs heat, which can be too much for plants with shallow roots.
Another option is cocoa bean mulch, although it is not advisable to use in landscapes with dogs as it can be poisonous. If you do use cocoa bean mulch, apply no more than a 1” layer because cocoa bean is highly moisture-retentive and can become moldy if the layer is too thick.
If you want to enrich the soil as well as encourage enjoyment of an attractive garden, use organic mulch. On hilly or moist locations, use larger mulch as it will retain less water and won’t migrate as easily.
You may end up needing different types of mulch for different areas of the landscape. Ask our friendly experts for advice and recommendations.
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