Organic mulches are like a healthy picnic for your lawn. They blanket your lawn and feed your soil (with nutrients and organic matter, not watermelon cubes and pinwheel sandwiches!). While any mulch, inorganic or organic, will protect your soil from erosion and weed growth, only organic mulch will give your plants the extra nutrients they\u2019re craving.<\/p>
Let\u2019s dig into the 10 best organic mulches for your yard. <\/p>
Mulch is a material you spread across your landscape to prevent weed growth, reduce erosion, keep soil temperatures stable, and retain soil moisture for healthy plant growth. Mulching is an essential gardening practice that both protects your soil and strengthens the plants and tree roots that grow in it. <\/p>
When you use mulch, you don\u2019t have to water, weed, or aerate<\/a> your garden and flower beds as frequently, and you don\u2019t have to worry about your plant roots heaving<\/a> out of the soil due to repeated freezing and thawing. <\/p> Plus, the right mulch will give your landscape an elegant flair that\u2019ll make your neighbors \u201cooh\u201d and \u201caah.\u201d<\/p> There are two types of mulch: Organic and inorganic. Organic mulches are made out of natural materials that decompose, like wood bark, shredded leaves, pine needles, or grass clippings. Inorganic mulches are made out of materials (either natural or synthetic) that do not decompose, like stones, gravel, black plastic, or landscape fabric. <\/p> For organic mulches, the decomposition of organic matter is both a blessing and a curse. As organic material decomposes, it improves soil texture and fertility, adding valuable nutrients to the soil and attracting earthworms and beneficial microbes. <\/p> But<\/em> this decomposition process also means that organic mulch doesn\u2019t last as long as inorganic mulch. It needs to be replaced every year or every few years, depending on the mulch material.<\/p> If you primarily want to protect plant roots and improve your soil, organic mulch is the way to go. If you want to give your lawn a sleek, aesthetic design without the weeds and upkeep, inorganic mulch is ideal.<\/p> Organic mulch is fantastic for your lawn, and it doesn\u2019t have to cost a cent. You can use your own yard waste (like grass clippings and pine needles) as a nutrient-packed lawn amendment, or you can get free tree mulch from arborists or utility companies in your area. <\/p> Compost is every gardener\u2019s dream soil amendment. It\u2019s a nutrient-rich mixture of decomposing organic matter \u2014 from table scraps to fallen leaves to grass clippings \u2014 and you can make it<\/a> all by yourself. Compost protects roots, insulates soil, and amends soil texture and quality. The result? A garden filled with healthy soil and flourishing plants. <\/p> Compost: <\/p> If you\u2019re creating your own compost, avoid tossing in meat; bones; foods with a high fat content (like cheese, salad dressings, or oils); diseased plants; tough weeds; or animal waste. <\/p> Where to mulch:<\/strong> Compost is one of the best mulches for vegetable gardens and flower beds, and it\u2019s a great protective layer around trees and bushes. <\/p> Layer depth:<\/strong> 2 to 3 inches<\/p> Pro Tip:<\/strong> Compost (and most mulch) is terrific for tree roots, but never apply it directly around tree trunks. Spread mulch 3 to 6 inches away from the trunk to prevent internal rot, disease, and plant death. <\/p> Organic vs. inorganic mulch<\/span><\/h3>
10 types of organic mulch<\/span><\/h2>
1. Compost<\/span><\/h3>