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Spread
Mulch Over The Soil's Surface To:
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Conserve
water by reducing evaporation.
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Suppress
the growth of weeds.
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Reduce
erosion by allowing water to penetrate the soil
-
Encourage
better root growth by insulating soil from temperature extremes.
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Improve
soil structure and content.
Mulch
should be layered at least three inches deep over soil. Keep mulch
about six inches away from the base of plants to prevent fungal
diseases. Avoid using material from diseased plants.
Choose
The Appropriate Type of Mulch
Organic
Mulches
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Bark
is available ground, shredded or in chips. Ground fir, pine,
hemlock or redwood are attractive and long lasting.
Fine-textured sawdust and wood shavings require nitrogen to
decompose. Check with the package label and, if not present, add
a nitrogen supplement before applying.
-
Straw,
although short-lived, is inexpensive and virtually free of weed seeds.
-
Aged
or composted animal manures are effective for about a year; fresh
manure can burn plant roots.
-
Agricultural
by-products, such as mushroom compost, ground corncobs, and apple
or grape pomace, vary by region.
-
Tree
leaves with thicker textures, such as those of many oaks, provide
effective mulch. Thin-textured leaves (maple leaves, for
example) will compact into a water repellent mat and are not
reccommended.
-
Grass
Clippings should be spread in a thin layer and allowed to dry
before adding another thin layer.
Inorganic
Mulches
Inorganic
mulches, such as rocks and plastic, help conserve water; however, they
don't provide any benefits to the soil.
-
Polypropylene
plastic (landscape fabric) allows air to pass through, but
suppresses weed growth. It is useful on steep slopes to limit
runoff and erosion. For nicer appearance, cover the plastic with
an organic mulch.
-
Rocks
are available in varying sizes, shapes and colors; they are a
permeable and permanent mulch.
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