Willy Green
June 22, 2023
What Are the Best Mulch Options for Your Garden?
Keeping a garden going year after year can be difficult. You must ensure that the soil maintains the right conditions to produce fully thriving crops.
Extreme temperature shifts, standing water, and weeds can and will ruin your plants if you don’t regularly put down mulch. But what are the best mulch options for your garden? We have answers!
Compost
One simple and effective method of mulching your garden is to use compost. Composting has been used by farmers for hundreds of years to improve yields and reintroduce essential nutrients into the soil. By allowing organic materials to break down, you can create a rich soil additive that’s perfect for gardening.
Composting uses natural processes to break down food scraps, grass clippings and leaves into a mulch-like substance. It’s a sustainable process that enables you to return vital nutrients to the ground before growing your crops.
Straw
Another commonly used material for mulching gardens is straw. Farmers produce straw from dry stalks left over after harvesting their crops and use it as animal bedding, fuel for heating wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, and foraging material for cattle. Wet straw is perfect for garden mulch since it’s completely natural and quickly decomposes.
Ensure you use clean straw and pull out any weeds before laying it down. Wait until your vegetables have started to grow before adding a few inches to the topsoil. You can also use the straw to prepare your vegetable garden for winter to maintain the temperature.
Newspaper
Newspaper also makes a great source of mulch for your garden. It creates a barrier between your plants and the rest of the yard. You can shred it or lay it down in sheets, depending on your needs and the amount of time you have available.
Using sheets to mulch is an excellent way to prevent weeds from growing. Start by ensuring the soil is wet and place the paper in layers over the weeds to smother them. As the paper decomposes, it will provide nutrients for the plants.
Foster Better Growth by Mulching
No matter what type of mulch you use, it will help prevent the soil from compacting and improve irrigation, which is always a good thing. It can also help protect your plants from extreme temperatures during the summer and winter.
The best mulching options for your garden depend on what you have available. Improve your yields and make it easier to start your next round of crops using mulch, whether it’s compost, straw, newspaper, or some other option. Thank you for reading What Are the Best Mulch Options for Your Garden? Here are some other articles you may enjoy reading.
