How to Make Organic Mulch

Add mulch to cover plants along garden pathways.

When you invest your time, effort and heart into an organic garden, use mulch you know is organic. Mulch prevents erosion, keeps soil moist, promotes earthworms and protects crops from the elements. Make organic mulch using materials that may be available on your property or the property of another organic gardener. When using materials from outside sources, ask about herbicides or other non-organic additives, advises the website Kitchen Gardeners.

Things You'll Need

• Leaves
• Grass clippings
• Pine needles
• Sawdust

Instructions

1. Mulch leaves throughout the fall. Ride or push a lawnmower over fallen autumn leaves. Collect the mowed leaves in your mower bag and distribute them over your garden soil.

2. Use grass or pine needles as mulch. Save grass clippings from a lawn not treated with chemical pesticides. Rake pine needles and collect for garden soil mulch.

3. Collect untreated sawdust from a local sawmill. Sawdust, which is not as nutrient-rich as grass clippings, can be used to smother weeds.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply mulch to weeded areas.

• Water the soil before mulching, recommends the website Planet Green.

References

• Kitchen Gardeners: Make Your Own Organic Mulch
• Planet Green: Organic Mulch, an Easy, Free Garden Booster