Garden Mulch Design Ideas

Mulch is one of the best and most beneficial soil amendments that you can use in your garden. It is a protective layer that you spread on top of the soil around your plants to cover it. This layer helps to reduce soil erosion and soil compaction, conserves moisture, maintain soil temperature, suppress weed growth and provide an over-all clean look in your garden.

Mulches are classified into two types: organic or inorganic. Organic mulches are those made of organic materials and conversely, inorganic mulches are composed of inorganic materials.

Organic Mulches

The greatest benefit of organic mulches is that when they break down, they provide additional nutrient to the soil. Leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, tree barks, pine needles and straws are some of the most common organic mulches. Leaves and glass clippings are easily available and are often free. While wood chips, tree barks and pine needles can be readily purchased from your local garden supply shop. Wood chips and tree barks may take time to decompose depending on the size of the chips but provide a more lasting layer than leaves and grass clippings. Pine needles are best for acid-loving plants. Straw is also another favorite organic mulch and is recommended for newly seeded plants and around vegetable beds.

Others also use compost and peat moss which are not only nutrient-enriched in nature but are also easy to apply and provide a longer layer for plants. Cocoa bean hull is also a good organic mulch aesthetically because of its color, texture and smell. However, cocoa bean hulls are toxic to pets. Sawdust is another option, and like pine-needles, is best for acid-loving plants but must be aged for 6 months to 1 year before applying to the soil.

Organic mulches also have disadvantages. Easily decomposed materials such as leaves and grass clippings can get compressed and form a mat on top of the soil preventing air from penetrating and might suppress the roots. While large chunks of wood and bark can float away from the mulched surface. Straws, grass clippings and sawdust can also be the source of unwanted weed seeds. And some, like straws and compost do not make an attractive landscape in the garden.

Inorganic Mulches

Inorganic mulches do not add nutritional value to the soil but they are excellent soil covers. They are often more durable and permanent because they do not decompose. Some of the most common inorganic mulches are newspaper, black plastic sheets or garbage bags, landscape fabrics, rocks and recycled rubbers.

Newspapers and plastic sheets are great for suppressing weed growth and for warming up the soil. You just need to apply a layer of organic mulch such as wood chips over to prevent them from being blown away. The problem with these materials is that they are not porous enough and can suppress plant roots. But it won't be a problem for newspapers because they break down overtime. Landscape fabrics are specialized covers made up of different materials woven together to create a more porous inorganic mulch. These fabrics can be purchased in garden centers.

Rocks and recycle rubbers are more permanent mulches. Rock mulches look good in a garden but problem sets in when you decide to move them. Also, keep in mind that rocks, stones and gravels can reflect the heat from the sun and create a warmer environment for your plants.