May 4th, 2012 
Percy If you are a keen gardener then you probably already understand the benefits of mulching in your garden. However, those that garden out of necessity or who have only recently discovered a love for the hobby, may not understand what the process has to offer, or even have heard of mulching before. Hopefully this post will go some way to clearing up any uncertainties and demonstrate why mulching is a must for most, if not all gardeners.
Understanding the process
The basic principal of mulching is the laying of some kind of material over your flower beds. Any inorganic material used serves to cover the soil, preventing frost damaging roots during cold spells, whilst also retaining moisture which is released into the soil, keeping plants and shrubs watered. They will also do a good job of suppressing weeds. Inorganic materials used for mulching are:
- Geotextile blankets
- Gravel and stone
- Plastic and rubber
Of the three options, stone and gravel tend to be the most popular due to their aesthetic appeal. In addition to these inorganic options, there are several organic materials that offer the additional benefit of providing nutrients to the soil and thus plants as they decompose.
Organic mulches
Compost and manure compost – These two work in a similar fashion and are a good choice when looking to add some insulation in the first few months of the growing season, to protect against the possibility of drops in temperature. They are very rich in nutrients and will deliver a real concentrated boost to young plants and shrubs. The only downside to compost and composted manure is that they do not last as long as other organic mulches.
Grass cuttings – Rather than throw away your grass cuttings you can spread them on your flower beds. However, it is perhaps better to use them in the more remote areas as they give off a pungent smell as they decompose. The high water content in grass means that they also break down very rapidly, but nutrient levels are quite high.
Straw – This option is best suited to those that have vegetable patches. A carefully placed layer will stop soil splashing onto the vegetables and leaves during the watering process, which helps prevent the spread of soil-based diseases. One application of straw should offer nutrients throughout the growing season.
Newspapers – In the past it was not advisable to use newspapers for mulching as the dye could poison plants. However, organic dye is now commonplace and you are safe to recycle your newspapers as garden mulch. Unfortunately they don’t look particularly attractive, which puts many gardeners off.
Leaves – This is a great option if your soil has become compacted and you are looking to improve aeration, without doing any digging. The fact is that worms love soil that is covered by leaves and you will soon have hundreds of them digging their way through your flower bed; providing excellent soil for growing.
Garden bark – A fantastic long term organic mulch that takes a long time to break down whilst providing lots of nutrients. Garden bark mulch is a favourite for gardeners looking to give their greenery with a helping hand, without sacrificing the aesthetics of the garden.
John Browbeck recommends Rolawn Direct for UK residents looking for garden bark.
