There are 15 types of mulching materials commonly used in landscapes. This is an overview of each type of mulch, including mulching depths and usefulness. Use any of these in your garden.
Types of Mulch and Mulching Materials
Bark Chips- Use 3-6 inches in depth. It has a nice appearance and is available in different sizes. Commonly used in borders and boundary plants to conserve water.
Black Plastic Sheeting- Warms cold soil in the early spring. It does prevent weeds from growing, but doesn’t add any organic material. Careful watering is needed in hot weather.
Clear Plastic Sheeting- Warms cold soil in the early spring. It does not prevent weeds from growing and does not add any organic material to the soil.
Mulch conserves water in borders
Compost- Use 2-8” deep to enrich the soil. It can also be made at home.
Evergreen Boughs- Use 8-24” deep. It gives winter protection for hardy perennials in cold climates. Remove gradually when new shoots start to come up in the spring.
Grass Clippings- Use 2-6” deep. This is a good mulch for vegetable gardens. Use them while they are green. Add in extra nitrogen to gardens to compensate for nitrogen lost as grass breaks down. Do not use herbicide-treated grass until a month or two after cutting.
Hay, Salt Hay- Use 6-12” deep. It makes a good mulch for vegetable gardens or as winter protection for hardy perennials. Salt hay has fewer weed seeds than other hay types.
Leaves- Use 2-5” when shredded, and 5-12” when whole. Shredded leaves are a good all-purpose mulch. Whole leaves blow away easily unless weighted down or contained by fences, and may be too coarse for delicate plants. Leaves tend to be acid, but vary with species. Avoid leaves of black walnut trees as they can kill other plant species.
Mulch comes in many types and colors
Mushroom Soil Compost is used 1-4” creates an attracgtive soil layer, rich in nutrients. They contain gypsum and is alkaline.
Newspapers are used 1/2-2” may be shredded or used whole. Appropriate in large vegetable gardens. Unattractive unless covered by bark, pine needles, stones, or other natural substance. Must be weighted to prevent its blowing away. Avoid colored pages because of toxic inks.
Peat Moss is used 2-4” and makes an attractive mulch in flower beds. Should be wetted down and mixed with sand, vermiculite, and soil to prevent its blowing away. Somewhat acidic, though. To counter this, you can mix in some lime to counteract the acidity.
Pebbles often used 3-6” deep is a good mulch for dry gardens. It is available in various sizes and colors. Edgings of stone or brick keep them in place. Large quantities are available from building supply companies.
Pine Needles are used 4-12” deep and is slightly acidic. It is widely used around azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries. It is attractive and stable and may be used shredded or unshredded.
Straw is used 4-12” but tends to look messy, but it is effective and appropriate to use in vegetable gardens. Add extra nitrogen to compensate for nitrogen lost when straw breaks down.
Wood Chips used 3-8” and possibly more if used in sandy soil. It is good for building up sandy soil. You may also need to add nitrogen as the chips break down. Wood chips may harbor termites or slugs.
