Organic Mulch Vs. Inorganic Mulch
If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your plants in tip-top health all year round, then there’s one very easy step you can take – mulching.
Mulching refers to covering the soil and planted parts of your garden with 2-4 inches of whatever type of mulch best suits your needs. This opens the door to another question, though;
What Does Mulch Do?
Adding mulch to your yard protects and improves the soil quality, giving your plants a better place to grow. It also creates a covering on your soil that helps to reduce moisture loss, preventing the soil surface from drying out and cracking.
Not just that, mulching is efficient at suppressing weed growth and reducing competition for nutrients and water, too. Along with these, mulching minimises run-off and soil movement from garden beds, so you can keep your outdoor space maintained and manageable. The best mulch for your garden will depend on your and your yard’s unique needs.
What are the Different Types of Mulch?
Anyone trying to decide which type of mulch to use should first read up on the different types available.
There are 2 categories of mulch, organic and inorganic. Each has their own uses, benefits, and disadvantages, and it’s important to choose the right one for your yard from the get-go, so you can start as you mean to continue.
Organic mulch
Organic mulch is made up of old leaves and tree bark, dry untreated grass clippings, woodchips, sawdust, compost, and basically any kind of organic, compostable matter you can think of. Your organic mulch can be single-ingredient, or a combination of whatever you have to hand, making it a very cost-effective option. Organic options are also great for soils that need a bit of a nutrient boost, as the nutrients in the mulch will infuse the soil.
As organic mulch breaks down over time, it will need to be topped-up or replaced. When it comes to this, it’s important to note that you should never have more than 4 inches of mulch on your plant beds.
Thanks to its sustainability, many gardeners choose to use organic mulch in their gardens. To really enhance the environmentally-friendly nature of your yard, try to find out where your mulch has come from, along with the potential damage it may cause once you remove it from the environment.
When creating mulch on site is not possible, opt for recycled mulch. This is derived from the materials that end up in the green waste bins. These materials are then processed by a composting system that will destroy any weed seeds that the material has. With a little bit of time and some extra commitment, you can do this at home by setting up your own composting bin. The end product is a mulch with excellent weed-suppressing, soil-improving, and water-holding capabilities, making it ideal for all garden styles.
Inorganic mulch
While organic mulch has cost and environmental benefits, the use of inorganic mulch in Australia is increasing. This type of mulch is derived from recycled glass, rubber, and stone, and is available in different sizes, colours, and styles. All of this makes it ideal for gardeners who envision a more curated look to their yard. Because these materials don’t burn, it is often a good choice for those living in bushfire zones.
Inorganic mulch doesn’t offer the same nutritional benefits as its natural counterpart, but it still works as a long-lasting weed prevention tool, and protects your soil from the elements.
If you do choose inorganic mulch, it’s important to consider the possibility of redoing your yard down the line, as the smaller pieces can be tricky to remove because they don’t break down naturally.
Next Steps
When you’ve decided on the right type of mulch for your yard, the next step is to disperse it. If you’re having a tough time choosing, or need some advice on how to get your garden looking as lively as possible, contact your local Jim’s Mowing team members. These experts can lend a hand in your garden, helping it bloom in no time.
