Novice gardeners use mulch because it makes their flower beds look great. Expert gardeners use mulch because they know that it protects their plants in many ways. All varieties of mulch can:
Mulch can be organic or inorganic, or natural and synthetic. Organic mulches include shredded bark, grass clippings, straw, hay, sawdust, shredded cardboard and newspaper, and wood chips. Rock and gravel are excellent mulches in northern climates since they retain heat. While compost can be used as mulch, it is wise to make sure that it is free of weeds, else weeds will sprout when you use it as mulch. Synthetic mulches will not propagate weeds, and can include shredded tire rubber and plastic sheets.
Which mulch should you choose? Consider these points to help answer that question:
Also, take into account longevity, appearance, and cost. Certainly, rock and gravel will last forever. Shredded bark will last longer than compost or grass clippings. If you plan to remove your flower bed at the end of the season, choose expendable mulch. If you have a flamboyant flower garden, choose mulch that will compliment the colors of your garden, while simultaneously providing protection. While homemade mulches such as grass clippings and compost cost next to nothing, you will pay anywhere from $2 to $10 per bag for bark chips, depending on their color. Gravel and rock cost more than that, but they last an eternity.
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2013-03-26 13:54:01
Nanette Sargeant
Also remember to think about the acidity or alkalinity of your soil. A lot of bark dust/chips create more acidity in the soil when they break down. Great for evergreens, azaleas and rhododendrons; not so great for clematis and many other perennials.
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