Mulch is a layer of material, usually natural, placed on the surface of ground, around growing plants. It prevents loss of moisture and growth of weeds. It encourages the activity of earthworms and keeps the soil from becoming hard. In the long term it breaks down and forms humus and nutrients.
Very thick mulch (e.g. 10cm/4in or more) can be very effective, without harming the plants.[verification needed] Weeds that do grow through the mulch can be easily pulled out of the loose, moist soil.
It is an important component of lazy gardening, as it greatly reduces the need for most of the regular garden tasks such as watering, digging, weeding.
Cautions
- Mulch containing seeds, such as lawn clippings when the grass is seeding, or straw, can result in an increased number of weeds. Ways of dealing with this are:
- When mowing, or growing a crop for mulch, cut it before the seeds approach maturity.
- Have an additional thick layer of seed-free mulch on top.
- Be sure to pull out the weeds before they become too established, while it is still extremely easy.
- Cocao mulch can be harmful to dogs (if they eat it - and not all dogs eat it).[1]
- Your Best - and Worst - Mulching Options WTOPnews.com claims that rubber tires are bad, and wood and bark mulches promote certain fungi that cause damage and nuisance, and should be kept approx 10m/30ft from houses and cars.
- Avoid mulch made from old roofing shingles.[2]
- Some advise keeping mulch away from the foundation of buildings, to avoid pests.[1] (It might be expect to affect rising damp as well, if the building is prone to that.[verification needed])
- This list should be added to. Do a google search ignoring the main warnings mentioned above, and of course read critically.
Note that an email warning about termites in mulch in 2006 was dismissed as a hoax[3]
Notes
- ↑ Cocoa Mulch, Snopes Urban Legends Reference Pages and Cocoa Mulch Toxic to Dogs Warning Email hoax-slayer.com.
- ↑ (Oregon) State issues warning about mulch made from old roofing shingles
- ↑ Formosan Termites, Snopes.com and Formosan Termites in Mulch Warning, hoax-slayer.com
External links
- Guide to Selecting a Garden Mulch | Tips & Techniques - GardenGuides.com, includes information on a large number of different organic and inorganic mulches.
- Mulching - NRCS - public domain, planned for porting.
- Mulch Clemson University - Clemson Extension, Home & Garden Information Center