Mulch is any material that is spread over the soil as a covering. It is used to retain moisture in soil, keeps soil from eroding and crusting, suppress weeds and keep the soil cool. Organic mulches are also used to make soil fertile. as they decompose. It is a simple way to improve the quality of your agricultural land. There are a variety of mulches like shredded or chipped bark, compost, composted manure, grass clippings, newspapers, shredded leaves and straw.
It is better if you know the origin of your manure, compost and straw since they also contain some amount of seeds. If they sprout it is going to increase your work. Each type of organic mulch has their own benefits. Lets look at them one by one.
Bark mulches work best with trees, shrubs and garden beds where a lot of digging is not required. These woody mulches don’t mix well into the soil, and it can become a hassle to have to keep moving them aside to make way for new plants. They will, however, last longer than finer organic mulches.
Compost and Composted Manure can be used anywhere, as long as they are relatively well composted and weed-free. It is made by combining food scraps, grass clippings and other organic materials.
Grass Clippings are best for suppressing weeds. They decompose quickly and become slimy with an unpleasant odor. Untreated grass clippings can either be dumped into your compost bin or used to mulch open, unplanted areas.
Newspaper as mulch is becoming more and more popular. Most newspapers have switched over to organic dyes, especially for their black & white sections. Layered sheets of newspaper also have great moisture retention abilities, and they act like other organic mulches as far as suppressing weeds and controlling soil temperatures. They are also great for smothering existing grass, to jump-start a new garden bed.
Shredded Leaves are nature’s favorite mulch. They can be used as mulch anywhere and have the added bonus of being free. Leaves that have been mowed or run through some other type of shredder will decompose faster and are much more likely to remain in place than unshredded leaves. For vegetable gardens, a thick layer of leaves placed between the rows function as a mulch and an all-weather walkway that will allow you to work in your garden during wet periods. Mulches are especially beneficial when used around newly established landscape plants, greatly increasing the likelihood of their survival.