How to Use Mulch in the Garden

Mulching is the practice of covering exposed soil in a garden or landscape. There are a lot of benefits to using mulch in the garden. Apart from making open areas look more attractive, a layer of mulch helps plants grow better and prevents erosion problems. Here is some information on how to use mulch in the garden and some suggestions for decorative materials you can use for mulch.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. First, it’s helpful to understand how mulch can save you work, discomfort and money. By laying a protective cover of material over your soil, you will be stopping soils from washing away in rain or with watering systems. Your plants will survive better since the protective layer will mitigate hot or cold temperatures, keep down water loss to evaporation, and avoid root damage. You will also be keeping down dust on the windy days. All this will minimize repairs, maintenance and losses.

2. Mulch can be made of just about anything your want. You can use something as simple as recycled newspapers for mulch. Compost is ideal for mulch as it adds nutrients as it rots down into the soil. Or you can opt for more ornamental materials. Mulch can be long-lasting or break down over time. If you choose something that will disintegrate, go with a safe, organic material that will eventually enrich your soil.

3. 

   One common mulch material is shredded or chipped bark. You can buy it by the bag, have it delivered by the ‘scoop’ or shred your own by recycling downed trees with a chipper shredder. A shredded bark that often goes by the name “gorilla hair” works well on hillsides where it stays in place better than most other products.

4. 
   Many types of gravel and stone

   Another material that works well is gravel or stone. You can go inexpensive with pea or ¾” gravel, or you can get fancy with smooth, round river rock or colored gravel.

5. 
   Colored decomposed granite

   For a natural earth effect, try decomposed granite. This can look just like soil but it doesn't get so muddy when wet. Or you can find some suppliers that offer decomposed gravel in colors like reds, grays, browns, whites and even natural blues and greens.

6. 
   The icy effect of clear tumbled glass mulch

   For a magical effect, try tumbled glass. The clear glass looks like ice whereas the colors can look like jewels, especially when they glitter when hit by sunlight.

7. Make sure whatever you use for mulch allows air and water to penetrate and is not toxic in any way. Other than that, any loose material that stays in place and can be spread one to three inches deep can be used as mulch in the garden. Broken colored tiles, chips of shale, crushed seashells are just some possibilities.

8. 
   Mixed stone

   Choose a material for mulch that will work with the design of your garden and hold up well in your climate – as well as the area where you are using it. Well-selected mulch will not only benefit the health of your garden, it can add a powerful design element in your landscape.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide
• Landscape design and gardening information

[sonni57]

on 5/20/2009 Finally something I can do even I can mulch the garden!