Mulch Harrisburg PA is one of the easiest, most beneficial gardening practices. It is great for weed control and soil improvement.
Avoid mulches that are dyed or chemically treated. This can leach into the soil and is especially undesirable in vegetable gardens.
Wood mulches should be well-rotted and free of seeds. Avoid piling mulch right up against the trunks of trees and shrubs – this can promote rot and insect infestation.
Weed Suppression
The primary reason people apply mulch is to prevent the germination of weeds. Mulch smothers weed seedlings, making emerging and competing with planted flowers, shrubs, and vegetables more difficult. It also helps keep weeds from drawing moisture and nutrients from plants that should receive their own supply.
Organic mulches such as bark, leaf litter, shredded branches and composted manure all add valuable nutrients to the soil as they decompose. In addition, they help improve soil structure, aeration and tilth. They also help reduce soil compaction and attract earthworms. Organic mulches should be replaced periodically, usually at least once per year.
Non-organic or synthetic mulches do not enhance soil nutrition but they still offer weed suppression and some soil improvement benefits. Slate, shingle, pebbles and gravel all provide good weed suppression as well as adding visual appeal to garden beds. Rock mulches are especially good for cold climates because they retain heat which extends the growing season.
Some non-organic mulches are impregnated with chemicals that kill weeds on contact. This is particularly helpful when the weeds have already started to grow through the mulch or if they are resistant to hand weeding. These types of products should be applied in a thick layer to ensure that the weed killer is distributed over the entire surface of the weed and is not absorbed into the plant’s roots.
A thick layer of a non-organic mulch can also protect against erosion. It provides an effective barrier between raindrops and the soil, which is especially useful on sloped sites.
Some growers combine an organic or biodegradable mulch with a thin layer of a plastic-based tarp to enhance weed suppression. The tarp acts as an extra barrier for the weeds and also keeps the mulch from blowing away during stormy weather. This is often used in vegetable gardens or other areas where the appearance of a tarp is not important. A layer of cardboard or newspaper is sometimes added to the bottom of a mulch to prevent it from blowing away as easily. This is a very simple and inexpensive way to improve the weed suppressing abilities of any type of mulch.
Water Retention
When applied correctly, mulch can keep soil moisture even and prevent the water loss that normally occurs from the surface of the ground. This allows plants to thrive with a regular supply of moist soil. In addition, a thick layer of organic mulch can help prevent erosion from rain and irrigation.
The insulating effect of mulch also helps to regulate soil temperature. It acts like a blanket against unrelenting summer sun, keeping the soil cooler and thereby lessening stress on plant roots. This cooling impact also helps to reduce the rate at which water is lost from the soil due to evaporation.
Many types of materials can be used as mulch. Natural, organic materials such as leaves, hay, straw, grass clippings and bark decompose and improve the quality of the soil, adding humus and other nutrients. They also help to suppress weed growth, improve soil structure and improve drainage.
Inorganic materials are also available, including rock and gravel, and they are effective in keeping the soil temperature even and preventing water loss due to evaporation. However, they generally don’t add humus or other nutrients to the soil and they don’t decompose as easily as natural organic materials.
It is important to monitor the thickness of a mulch layer and replenish it when it becomes thin. A thicker layer can suffocate stems and roots and encourage weeds, while a very thin layer will only provide minimal benefits. In general, a thickness of 3 to 4 inches is ideal.
Be careful about using wood-based mulches, particularly pine and cedar, which can steal nitrogen from the soil as they break down. You can counteract this by mixing in a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, such as soybean meal or alfalfa meal, with your mulch. Avoid newspaper or cardboard mulches that may contain unhealthy dyes and additives, as well as any material that has been exposed to a lot of sunlight, which can generate heat and cause fungal problems. Also avoid rice, peanut or buckwheat hulls because they may have been treated with herbicides and pesticides that can transfer to the garden.
Heat Insulation
A layer of mulch keeps soil temperatures cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, reducing plant stress from extreme temperature fluctuations. It also reduces the speed at which water evaporates from the surface of the soil. This is a great benefit for gardens during hot, dry weather when it is hard to keep up with watering.
Using natural materials, such as wood chips or bark, for mulch helps conserve soil moisture and improves the health of the soil ecosystem. These organic materials also feed beneficial microorganisms and enhance the color and texture of a landscape.
Many types of organic materials are suitable for mulching including grass clippings, hay, leaves, straw, kitchen scraps, comfrey,[4] shredded bark, whole bark nuggets, sawdust, shells and nutshells. These materials also act as a form of direct composting in your garden, enhancing soil fertility and improving the structure of the soil.
Wood mulches, such as those made from thinning or fallen tree branches and large stems are an excellent choice because they are usually free of seeds and can be applied up to three inches thick. They are often a byproduct of pruning at universities, municipalities and utility companies or discarded from home landscaping projects. The addition of these wood products to the topsoil enhances nutrient levels in the soil as well as suppressing weed growth.
Other non-organic materials, such as slate, shingle and pebbles, are commonly used for decorative purposes. These materials are not as effective at preserving soil moisture or suppressing weeds, but they can add attractive textures and colors to your landscape design.
It is important to choose a quality, organic, eco-friendly mulch for your garden and landscape beds. Avoid synthetic or rock mulches, which tend to be sourced from non-sustainable and often unsustainable sources. For example, cypress mulch is frequently harvested from wild cypress forests in Louisiana and Florida that are in dire need of restoration. Look for a mulch that is sourced in an environmentally responsible manner, such as local, wood shavings or shredded bark. Also, check the packaging to ensure no chemicals or dyes are added to the product.
Soil Improvement
Mulch is an important component of healthy soil. It shades the soil, reducing evaporation and keeping the soil cooler than bare soil. It holds and retains moisture, releasing it slowly to plant roots. It also improves drainage, preventing water runoff and erosion. In addition, it improves soil structure by forming a layer of organic material on the surface of the soil. This layer helps hold and release nutrients to the plants, as well as providing a habitat for beneficial organisms in the soil.
Most importantly, mulch prevents damage to the topsoil. Even a thin layer of mulch will prevent soil compaction, which will keep the soil loose and more pliable. It also prevents weed growth and protects the plants from wind, rain, snow, sleet, hail and other weather elements.
Many types of mulch are available, both organic and inorganic. The type of mulch you choose should be appropriate for your climate and soil, plant type and budget. Ideally, you should use a living mulch such as grass clippings, leaves, straw, or well rotted manure, wood chips, or shredded bark. These materials will decompose to form humates, which are organic matter that binds and insulates the mineral particles of the soil. This improves the soil texture and aeration, increases the cation exchange capacity of the soil, and increases the soil’s pH.
Avoid using plastic or synthetic mulches, which will kill the microorganisms in the soil and impede the natural nutrient cycling that is essential to plant growth. In addition, be sure to remove any weeds and debris from the planting area before applying the mulch to prevent weeds or other problems from sprouting. Also, do not pile the mulch up tightly against the base of plants or tree trunks to prevent rotting and suffocation of the plant. Rather, keep the mulch layer at least 2 to 3 inches thick.