Mulch is the term for anything used as dressings on your garden beds. The top dressing may be mulch, bark mulch, sawdust, shredded leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, straw hay, etc. During the growing period, mulch discourages weeds to grow, conserves humidity from the soil, and helps preserve soil temperatures.
Offers protection for perennials, roses alongside other plant substance that is sensitive. Mulches boost the beauty of garden beds with color and texture to complement the plant substance. Compost mulch is made out of matter. Use 1 to 3 inches of compost from shrub beds, flower and vegetable gardens.
Towards the end of a growing season, compost may also be added to annual flowerbeds to enhance the soil for future growth. Bark Mulch is made from tree bark shredded into large pieces, medium, and fine for the top. Use 2 to 3 inches around shrubs and trees. Keep bark several inches to prevent rot or rodent damage.
Bark decomposes and may attract carpenter ants. Sawdust Mulch is debris. Use 2-3 inches of sawdust in vegetable and smallish fruits gardens, flowerbeds and in pathways. Prepare yourself if plants become sick looking to add fertilizer. Sawdust is not very expensive and can be found at most nurseries or dirt shops.
Shredded Leaf Mulch is fallen leaves shredded with a leaf shredder or lawnmower. Use 2 to 3 inches around flower, vegetable or shrub beds. Don’t use leaves that have diseases or insect problems or black walnut leaves that may be toxic. Leaves are available in your very own yard and maybe chopped up making this one of the less expensive mulches. Pine needles Mulch is fallen needles from a pine tree that have started turning brown. Needles take decades to decompose. Rake up the needles into your yard and are applicable 3 to 4 inches or more of pine needles to shrub areas also flowerbeds.
Shredded pine needles work well from pathways. Pine needles are light also airy also may be utilized as winter mulches in rose also perennial beds. Pine Needles are also available in your very own yard making this another least costly mulch. Grass Clipping Mulch is a very simple way to mulch your beds. Once you mow your yard spread the clippings out to dry for a day or two and apply to your garden beds.
Use 2 to 3 inches around veggies, berry, and flowers. Do not use grass clippings from lawns that have been treated with a weed killer. This also is inexpensive and available. Straw Hay Mulch can be applied up to 6-8 inches from vegetable gardens, around garden strawberry along with other small fruits.
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