Selecting the Right Mulch Material 🤔
Mulch! Some folks use the word just to describe wood chips, but it really is an umbrella term to describe any material that can cover and insulate the soil. And hopefully enrich it! So, that begs the question: how do I choose?
The good news is that all organic mulches have their benefits and there aren’t many glaringly wrong answers when selecting one. But ultimately, it depends on what you’re doing with your green space. Maybe you’re concerned with your crops and want nutrient-rich mulches with a high decomposition rate. Or maybe you’re only concerned with erosion control and want a dense, long-lasting mulch. There are plenty of routes to take, so take a peek below to learn more…
Wood Chips
We LOVE wood chips! They can do wonders for your soil. They keep the soil moist, which is especially great in hot, dry climates. They block sunlight, minimizing weed growth. They slowly decompose and enrich the soil. They resist soil erosion and subsequent nutrient loss. We could go on and on! But there are lots of types of wood chips, so keep these designations in mind if you’re going wood chip hunting…
HARDWOOD VS. SOFTWOOD Hardwood (generally deciduous trees like oak, maple, etc.) mulch tends to be denser and breaks down a little slower than softwood (generally evergreen trees like pine, cedar, etc.) mulch. Both are great but if you’d like to see your wood chips decompose a little faster consider softwood and vice versa for hardwood. There are some exceptions to this idea, like for example cypress mulch (softwood) which can take a long time to decay.
RAMIAL VS. MATURE VS. ARBORIST - Ramial wood chips (RWC) refers to chips made from specifically young wood. They offer quick decomposition for gardeners looking for fast-decaying, nutrient-rich mulch. Wood chips made from old trunks or mature wood are extra dense and will persist in the landscape longer. This is better for long-term erosion control and weed suppression. Arborist mulch just refers to mulch coming from arborists… which as you can guess is a crapshoot! You’re getting whatever they happen to cut down. Most of time it’s a mixture of everything: leaves, young wood, mature wood. A wood chip makeover we did with some volunteers at a nearby Atlanta church. This cypress mulch will persist for years, mitigating weeds and limiting maintenance for the church.
Pine Straw
Pine straw is a sought-after mulch for many landscapers due to its rustic aesthetic. Most folks have a pine tree somewhere nearby constantly dropping needles. So, should you scoop them up and use them? Yes! Pine straw can interlock very well and pack down tight over time, creating almost a weed mat/landscape fabric effect. They are great for:
Acid-Loving Plants - Pine needles can slightly acidify soil over time, so they’d be welcomed by azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, florida anise, blueberries and more.
Hilly or Sloped Terrain - Excellent for erosion control on slopes, where it stays in place better and lasts longer than many other mulches.
Grass Clippings
Grass clippings rock! Your lawn’s haircut turns into a feast for the soil. If you’ve got grass to cut we highly recommend collecting and repurposing that nitrogen-rich green gold. This mulch won’t persist very long, so use it as a short-term but effective burst of fertilizer and weed suppression. The heat that grass clippings create can also help roast away weeds. Grass clippings are rich in nitrogen and other nutrients, quickly decomposing and enriching the soil.
Leaf Litter
Leaf litter is light, easy to move, and you can find bags of them scattering the curbs every fall. And they’re super-rich food for your soil to eat up. Spread it as mulch, or you can chip it. Chipped leaf litter offers an extra fine material that you can dust on your beds similar to grass clippings. Here’s a video showing DIY trick to chip leaf litter. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3qEbC7f38g)
Mulch is everywhere! If you choose to harvest mulch from the neighborhood, be aware of chemical spraying. You may want to establish rapport with your neighbor to confirm the material is safe to use on your garden. Experiment with all of these materials and even mix them if you want! Combine grass clippings with wood chips to make them more nutrient-rich… Experiment with pine needles on your slopes for longer lasting erosion control… Scatter leaf litter on top of your wood chips to replicate a hardwood forest floor… Mulching is the gardener’s perpetual project… And for good reason! Go nurture that soil, folks!