Mulching is used to avoid frost heaving in the winter, suppress or block weeds, keep the soil and plant roots cool, and improve the appearance of the garden bed and surrounding area. Continue reading to discover the various kinds of mulches and useful information on which kinds are ideal for the requirements of your garden. While certain mulches are more useful and can enrich the soil with nutrients, others are more visually beautiful. Mulch falls into two categories: organic and inorganic. Each has pros and cons of its own.
Organic mulch: This mulch is created naturally; it contains no synthetic materials. It works well for supplying your garden with healthy nutrients and can partially inhibit weed growth, though not completely.
Inorganic mulch: This type of mulch is artificial and not derived from natural resources. It doesn't improve the soil in any way, but it works best at completely keeping out weeds, holding onto water, and lasting longer than organic.
Organic mulch will break down and need to be renewed. However, as organic mulches break down, they also contribute to the soil's increased organic content, better drainage, and improved structure and nutrient-holding ability. Mulch that is dryer and more woody will break down more slowly and release fewer nutrients into the soil.
The spring, when temperatures are consistently warm, is the ideal time of year to lay mulch. However, you don't want to bury emerging perennials by mistake if you plant it too early. After pulling weeds and removing old mulch, mulch (don't apply a layer of new mulch on top of an existing layer). Mulch in the autumn is also an excellent idea to preserve moisture and shield the roots and soil from bad weather.
