![]() ![]() Wood chips are usually completely decomposed within 2 years. Small wood chips decompose very rapidly using nitrogen from the soil, which needs to be replaced by nitrogen fertilizer. A 2- to 3-inch layer of wood chips provides good weed control. Wood Chips: This material contains bark and pieces of ground up wood of various sizes and makes an attractive mulch. This is typically available as single ground, which has a coarser texture, or as double ground, which has a finer texture. It decomposes relatively slowly, and it is very attractive. Shredded Hardwood Mulch: This mulch is good at suppressing weeds. This mulch is very attractive and allows air, water and nutrients to penetrate easily to the soil surface. Pine needles tend to interlock and stay in place better than most mulches, especially on a slope. Pine Needles: A 2- to 3-inch layer of pine needles makes an excellent mulch for acid-loving trees and shrubs. Large pine bark nuggets float in water and may not stay in place during a heavy rain. It can be purchased in various particle sizes, from shredded to large-sized particles, called nuggets. Pine bark makes an attractive, usually dark-colored mulch. Pine Bark: A 2- to 3-inch layer of pine bark is good for weed control. After the leaves decompose, dig them into the soil and add a new layer of mulch on top. Leaves are usually easy to get, attractive as a mulch, and they will improve the soil once they decompose. Oak and beech leaves help to acidify the soil for acid-loving plants. Whole leaves have a tendency to blow away, while finely shredded leaves do not allow water to penetrate. It is best to shred the leaves coarsely, using a shredder or your lawn mower. Leaves: A 2- to 3-inch layer of leaves provides good weed control. Organic Mulch Materials: Your yard “waste” can be recycled as mulch with the advantage of retaining the nutrients found in these organic materials, in addition to saving money otherwise spent in transporting and disposing of these yard waste materials. Inorganic mulches, such as gravel, pebbles and landscape fabrics, do not decompose. They decompose over time and need to be replaced after a few years. Both types may have their place in the garden.Īn organic mulch is a mulch made of natural substances such as bark, wood chips, leaves, pine needles, or grass clippings. There are basically two types of mulches: organic and inorganic.
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