There are many benefits of using mulch. Not only does it protect your plants, but also adds beauty to your yard and fertilises your soil. Although various kinds of organic and synthetic mulch, such as cypress mulch and other alternatives, can be bought by the bag, know that you can make your own mulch at home. The fact is making mulch is very easy and can save you money.
Here are a few steps on how you can make a mulch by recycling resources such as your food trimmings and yard waste.
Select mulch source
You can have your own mulch using a variety of sources with some easier to gather than the others. Leaves, pine needles, and yard clippings make a good mulch source, with bark as one of the most nutrient-rich and effective forms of mulch.
It is best to determine the use of your mulch. For the summer season, leaves, yard trimmings, and compost are excellent sources. Pine needles, straw, and bark are best for the winter season. Also, use shredded newspaper as an additive to your mulch.
Collect materials
Once you’ve settled on what you’re using for creating the mulch, gather them all. Pile fallen or pruned leaves, the same goes for pine needles and grass clippings. In case you have a lawnmower that has a bag that can conveniently collect grass, use it. Collect branches, wood trimmings, and bark until you have enough for the mulch.
When using a compost pile, keep it stocked and moist until it is the right time for mulching. To quicken the breaking down process, turn the pile regularly with a shovel or pitchfork.
Convert the raw materials to mulch
Using a lawnmower, piles of leaves can be mulched swiftly. When you have bark, branches, and other wood trimmings, use a small wood chipper to turn it into mulch. A mixture of these sources can become an effective mulch.
Continually maintain your compost pile until it is ready for use. You can expect it to be ready in two weeks to four months, depending on the weather in your area or how you care for it. As soon as it becomes crumbly, dark brown, and smells earthy, it is ready.
Prepare soil
If you want to mulch your yard effectively, don’t miss to prepare your soil. To start fresh, remove any old mulch that has remained on the ground. Don’t forget to weed the area.
Spread the mulch
Generally, you can use about two inches of mulch but it actually depends on your preference and the season. Lay the mulch evenly using a rake, or you can hire a professional for the job. Around the base of plants, leave a small well of shallower mulch.
Now you have successfully created your own mulch. Not only will you have saved money and resources from buying a bag of mulch such as cypress mulch and other types, but you will also have surely enjoyed the process. Let us know your experience by commenting down below!