There are many benefits that mulch can offer garden landscapers. They can help improve the look of landscaping gardens and provide nutrients to the soil and the thriving plants. Also, they help maintain uniform soil temperature, reduce weed growth, and slow evaporation especially during summer months. In terms of shrubs, they go well with wood chips. But with vegetable gardens, denser materials must be used.
Before you decide on buying a type of mulch, you need to consider these three things: time, budget, and purpose.
Shredded bark. If you are looking for an inexpensive material, shredded bark is a very common choice. It can be sourced from cedar or oak trees. This mulch is useful in sloped areas to enable erosion control. Since it breaks down easily, it is not required for you to apply it as often.
As this type of mulch decomposes, it takes nitrogen from the soil. It then releases nutrients to feed the plants and the soil. To keep your plants healthy, you can add some organic fertiliser to the soil where you put your shredded bark.
Wood chips. Widely used by businesses and municipalities, wood chips are available in cedar, cypress mulch, pine, and other hardwood varieties. This type of mulch is one of the best types that you can use for shrubs and trees. However, it is not a popular choice for annual plants and vegetables.
Wood chips are good in controlling weeds and maintaining soil temperatures and moisture. Just like the shredded bark, it can take nitrogen from the soil. As a form of compensation, you need to add fertiliser to the soil. Remember that wood chips tend to fade and weather easily, requiring frequent application.
Pine bark nuggets. Unlike the shredded bark, pine bark nuggets do not break down easily. When they do and become one with the soil, they can provide rich organic material.
It is a type of soil covering that does not stay put very well, making it ineffective on sloped areas as it can easily get washed away when there is heavy rain. Provided that it is long-lasting, especially the large-sized ones, you don’t have to apply it as often throughout the year.
These mentioned types of mulches can be dyed with red, brown, or black to colour your landscape.
Before you finally settle on a specific type of mulch, consider their respective applications. It is best for you to contact a landscaping professional who can provide you with advice on the variants of plants to have, the perfect soil condition, and budget. Visit Landscape-supply.com.au today for more information!