What should you consider when choosing mulch for your home grounds?
Table 1: Area covered to a given depth by one cubic yard of mulch. | |
Area (sq. feet) | Depth of mulch (inches) |
80 | 4 |
100 | 3 |
160 | 2 |
325 | 1 |
Table 2: Types of mulches and their advantages and disadvantages. | |||
Mulch type | Advantages | Disadvantages | General Comments |
Organic Mulches | |||
Cocoa-bean hulls | Long lasting, dark brown color. | Compact; forms a crusty surface. Expensive. | Molds may form on surface. Harmless if stirred to break crust. |
Crushed corncobs | Uniform in color. | May retain too much moisture at surface or compact if kept wet. | Cobs dyed various colors. Availability limited in some areas. |
Grass clippings | Readily available. Nutrient recycling. | Must be applied loosely, in thin layers to reduce matting. Herbicide residues may harm plants. | Allow grass to dry to prevent matting before applying as a mulch. |
Hops | Attractive color. Nonflammable. | Disagreeable odor until dry. May blow away. | May be available from local brewery. |
Leaves (composted) | Readily available. Nutrient recycling. | Not very attractive. May become matted. | Good soil amendment. |
Leaves (fresh dried) | Readily available. Nutrient recycling. | Not very attractive. May blow away. Fire hazard. Wet leaves compact into slimy mats. | Most appropriate in naturalized Gardens or shrub masses. |
Manure (strawy) | Usually available. Adds nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil. | Unpleasant odor. Weed seeds. Not very attractive. | Better soil amendment than mulch. Should be aged and/or heat treated. |
Newspaper | Readily available. Good for preventing soil splashing (disease) on lower leaves or vegetables. | Don't use color inserts or red ink. Not very attractive unless covered. | Use 3 to 6 sheets thick and cover with organic mulches. |
Peat (sphagnum) | Usually available in bulk amounts. Can be incorported into the soil to improve aeration. | May crust on surface. May blow away. | The only acid-forming peat, but even this is variable with source. Best used as a soil amendment, not as a mulch. |
Pine needles | Attractive. Do not compact. | Difficult to obtain in quantity. Can be a fire hazard. | Best for winter protection of fall-transplanted material. |
Shredded bark, bark chips, chunk bark | Long-lasting, attractive. Does not blow away easily. | Cost relatively high. Shredded bark may compact. Large bark chunks may impede spreading perennials. | Use for informal walkways. |
Straw | Readily available. | Blows easily. Highly flammable. Weed seeds often present. | Best used as a temporary mulch around plants needing protection in winter. Anchor with wire mesh. |
Wood chips, shavings, pole peelings, recycled shingles | Long lasting. Readily available. Does not blow away. Popular in perennial gardens. | Texture and color not uniform. Can cause nitrogen deficiencies in plants if incorporated into the soil. | Rustic but usually attractive. Will not compact readily. |
Inorganic, inert mulches | |||
Clay aggregates (heat treated) | Gray/brown colors available. Lighter than gravel, easier to transport. Weed-free. | Expensive. | Brand names available (Turface, Terragreen). |
Weed-barrier fabrics | Reduces weeds. Allows air and water penetration. Long lasting if covered with mulch. Easy to apply. | Some may be costly. Most deteriorate in sunlight unless covered with another mulch material such as wood chips. | A good substitute for black plastics. |
Recycled rubber tires | Long lasting. Uniform color. Does not blow away. | Heat can build up around homes with this type of mulch. Not biodegradeable. | Newer product; supply more limited. |
Gravel, stone, pea gravel, pebbles | Available in colors to match or complement the architecture. Inexpensive. | Will not prevent growth of some weedy grasses. Heat can build up around homes with this type of mulch. | Use weed fabric beneath to prevent weeds. |
Make the smart choice for your yard's transformation and reach out to the skilled professionals at Green Guys today. With our dedicated team of experts, we are committed to unlocking the full potential of your outdoor space, crafting a landscape that will captivate your senses and bring joy throughout the year.