Mulch for Your Garden’s Health
Adding mulch to your garden is like giving it a vitamin. Organic mulch has the extra nutrients and texture to help a garden grow, retain moisture, and protect itself from pests. Inorganic mulch, like plastic and fabric, can heat the soil slightly for plants that grow better in warmer environments. If you’re looking to improve soil quality, organic mulch is the best bet. Here are four organic choices that are easy to make from natural elements that are in your home and yard.
Grass
Mulching grass clippings reduces waste. Instead of throwing the clippings in the garbage, They remain in the yard, adding nutrients to the garden. As the clippings decompose, they enrich the soil with potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Potassium is a nutrient that is essential to plant growth. It increases crops by improving the quality of grains and proteins. Phosphorus is vital for root development and early growth. Nitrogen is an important component of protein building blocks, called amino acids. Amino acids help plants build protein that plants need to grow and live. Vegetable gardens benefit richly from grass mulch.
Hay or Straw
Straw comes from grain plants. It can hold water, introduce nitrogen to the soil, and help keep weeds under control. Straw should come without seeds. Unlike hay, it always comes with seeds. Six inches of straw will last at least two seasons. Laying it over newspaper will keep weeds from growing. Ask for weed-free straw when you buy it. This mulch is a favorite choice for vegetable growers who are seeking a bigger harvest.
Wood chips look good in the garden. So, if you’re seeking to enhance the garden design, as well as fortify the garden, wood chips fit the bill. However, use them on top of soil, not beneath. They’ll absorb the nitrogen from your garden, if you’re not careful. However, it’s a long-term mulch choice, lasting up to four years.
Nutrition-rich compost can last for up to a year in your garden. It’s made from yard or kitchen waste. After decomposing, it becomes a low-cost or free mulch option for gardens.
The look of organic mulch will blend seamlessly with any garden design. A variety of natural mulch adds beneficial nutrients to plants, fruits, and vegetables. However, you’ve got to match the right mulch to your garden to ensure the best yield. Considerations include weather conditions and the area where the garden is located.