Organic Mulches

Organic mulches are very popular. They serve several purposes. While they conserve soil moisture, they also help to control weeds.

Assuming they’re a wood by-product, wood chips and bark mulch are environmentally friendly. The exception would be cypress trees that are cut specifically for use as mulch.

Organic mulches control soil erosion. Slowly over time as they decompose, they add valuable organic matter to the soil. For that reason, a little more will be needed as a top dressing every year or so to bring it back up to its original level.

All sorts of organic materials are suitable for mulch, including the following. Some of these are free, which makes them even more desirable.

Shredded Leaves

Shredded leaves work well for informal areas of the landscape. These include vegetable gardens, shady flower beds and borders, and naturalistic areas of the yard. Chop the leaves before using for mulch. Otherwise, they can actually repel water.

Bark and Wood Chips

Pine bark nuggets are rather large. They decay slowly. These don’t retain moisture as well as regular pine bark mulch.

Various kinds of hardwood mulches are available in bags and as a bulk product from local stores.

Wood chips are often available free from local tree service companies. They use a shredder to chop the leaves, small limbs, and branches. Sometimes, there will be a small fee for delivery.

Consider using the free chips only if there is no alternative. This mulch might contain materials from diseased trees, which could in turn pose a threat to your plants.

Pine Needles

In certain areas of the country, particularly the South, pine needles are in demand. Known as pine straw, these decay very slowly. They’re lightweight, and easy to transport. In addition, these are quick and easy to apply.

Though some blame pine needles for acidifying the soil, this isn’t always the culprit. In many areas of the South, soils tend to be acidic in any case.

Wet pine needles can be slippery. To be on the safe side, don’t scatter them on pathways.

Straw and Grass Clippings

While hay is rather expensive, straw is a suitable mulch for vegetable gardens and strawberry beds. This can contain weed seeds.

Assuming you have a large enough quantity to make it worthwhile, grass clippings can also serve as mulch.

Other Organic Mulches

There are all sorts of plant-based products that can be used as mulch. These include cocoa and nut hulls, ground corncobs, and cereal hulls.

Sawdust and wood shavings can also serve as mulch. Be sure they don’t contain treated wood. Allow time for sawdust to decompose before applying it around plants.

Leaf mold and compost also make suitable mulches.