Alternative Mulch Varieties That Look Great In Gardens
20.07.2023 - 21:35
/ gardeningknowhow.com
Many gardeners know the value of mulch around plant roots. Mulches stabilize soil, enrich it, and can contribute to better biodiversity. There are many landscape mulch alternatives to standard bark mulch. Many of these are cleverly recycled items that prevent landfill waste and foster a sense of sustainability.
Mulches provide protection to exposed soil surfaces. There are both inorganic and organic mulches, with each performing different additional functions. One of the most common mulches is bark mulch, an organic material that will break down slowly and enrich soil. But it has the potential to harbor pests and disease. Fortunately, there are other alternatives to mulching with bark.
The benefits of mulching are many. Mulch covers exposed soil surfaces, preventing erosion and loss of topsoil. Conserving soil moisture near plant roots where it is needed, mulch prevents the soil from drying out and crusting, encouraging the movement of water and nutrients from the top down into the soil.
Mulch keeps soil cooler in summer, and warmer in winter, a further protection for plant roots. Some mulches can inhibit the establishment of weeds, keeping beds nearly weed-free.
Organic mulches will rot slowly, improving soil nutrient content, encouraging beneficial organisms, aerating soil, and enhancing soil’s ability to hold nutrients. Most mulches will deter soil splashing, preventing certain diseases of leaves that are harbored in the soil.
Mulch can help protect certain plant stems and trunks from mechanical equipment. In vegetables and fruits like squash, mulch gives ripening fruit a place to rest that’s not soggy and can prevent rotting spots in the fruit. And most of all, mulch helps beautify garden beds and the entire landscape.
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